<human>: Can you provide a brief rundown of the text in within 3 sentences?

A couple of weeks ago, my nephew paid a visit to several members of the family in turn. He announced that he had been talking with a recruiter and that he will be joining the Army but hasn't yet signed his contract. The decision seemed sudden and came as a shock to all of us. He has never mentioned an interest in anything like this before. He said that he wants to do it because he plans to marry his live-in girlfriend of two years (he's thinking of doing it before he leaves for boot camp) and thinks that this will provide some financial opportunities for them. I can see how he's thinking. He's 21, never attended college (and not likely to at this point), and has been working at the same fast food job since he was about 17. I kind of doubt that his choice will have quite the financial benefit that I think he's expecting though.

I'm trying to be as supportive as a concerned relative and friend (we've been close for most of his life) can be. The choice is his and I stand with him whatever it is. However, I also know that he can be quite naïve and impetuous. He has never so much as filled out the paperwork to open his own bank account. So, I'm worried that he doesn't have the experience to fully understand what he's committing to with an eight-year contract.

So, I'm appealing to any redditors who are also current or former U.S. servicemen to help him make an informed decision. Is there anything you wish someone had told you before you signed? Now that you've had some experience, were there any benefits or drawbacks that you weren't expecting?
<bot>: – My nephew is joining the Army. If you are a current or former member of the U.S. armed forces is there anything you wish you had known before you signed up?