I was in the Army a few centuries ago when the base monthly pay was under $100 a month. Single, lived in the barracks, ate at the messy hall. Proud to have served, got my G I Bill when I got out and used it, lived in my parents basement, used it to go to college. Got my degree in three and a half years, went to work the following week and started paying taxes.
Things have changed. But I got to do what I planned to do, and glad I had served.