Lie: Your contract is only 2 or 4 years

TrutH: Your full contract is 8 years.

The total period of enlistment is 8 years. Your recruiter may only be telling you the length of the active component, but the remainder of the time will be on reserve duty including the Individual Ready Reserves.

Lie: You can choose your job or where you're stationed

Truth: the military can send you wherever to do whatever at its discretion.

You may not qualify for a job if your ASVAB score is too low. If you fail out of job training you will be reclassed and could be assigned a job you really don't want. Even if you are guaranteed a job in your contract, the military can change the terms of your contract at any time if manpower needs shift. You have the right to request a transfer, but this is never guaranteed. Remember, the needs of the military always come before the needs of the servicemember.

Lie: the military can't make you stay longer than your original contract

Truth: The military can change the terms of your contract.

You are not allowed to alter the terms of your contract, but the military can change or extend it any time they want if they think it's necessary. Remember, the needs of the miiltary always come before the needs of the servicemember.

Lie: The military will provide you housing

Truth: yes, but the housing may be unlivable. 

A lack of funding has resulted in hazardous conditions in barracks that pose serious health and safety risks, including rampant mold, broken heating, and backed up sewage. This would be illegal in the civilian world, but the military has long housed troops in rundown barracks.

Lie: You can go to college while enlisted

Truth: Access to a college education is not guaranteed.

Your commanding officer must give you permission to take college courses. Long deployments make courses, even online courses, tough to complete. As a veteran, you are NOT guaranteed education benefits unless you receive a fully honorable discharge. 

51% of veterans never use their education benefits.

Lie: Your military training will qualify you for a civilian job

Truth: training doesn't provide certifications or degrees.

Even jobs like electricians and medics still have to complete additional training and licensing requirements to be eligible for civilian jobs. Combat arms jobs do not have any direct civilian equivalents. Military experience is difficult to translate well into a civilian resume and many veterans struggle to find a job. 

Lie: You won't deploy or see combat. 

Truth: all branches and jobs have been deployed to a combat zone.

The US military has been continuously deployed to combat zones since 2001, possibly longer that you've been alive. Truck drivers, supply clerks, cooks, and mechanics have all deployed and faced IEDs and ambushes while in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even bases can be unsafe as they are subject to attacks by mortar, rockets, snipers, and suicide bombers. 

No one can guarantee that you won't deploy or see combat.

Lie: You won't get ptsd if you're not in combat.

Truth: Other common military experiences can cause ptsd.

PTSD may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as combat or even just the effects of combat. 1 out of every 3 women experience Military Sexual Trauma. PTSD symptoms may include depression, lifelong nightmares, trouble thinking, drug and alcohol addiction, anger management, and increased risk of violence and suicide.
Roughly 15% of young vets suffer from PTSD.

Lie: You will receive medical care and financial support if you are hurt or disabled in the military.

Truth: It is difficult to obtain medical care and disability payments.

VA medical care and disability compensation exist, but are not guaranteed, immediate, or easy to access. The process to receive disability payments for injuries is complex and slow, and can take months or years to adjudicate. Even while active duty, you must receive permission from your leadership to seek medical care, which is often stigmatized.

48% of post-9/11 veterans have a service-connected disability.

Lie: Your military training will set you up for success

Truth: Vets experience higher rates of poverty and homelessness.

The military trains you to kill and and instantly follow orders. Rather than leaving the military well-equipped to take on life, over 60% of veterans report difficulty adjsuting to civilian life. Veterans aged18-34 experience higher rates of poverty, homelessness, and PTSD.

A veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes.

Lie: you can get out if it's not for you

Truth: you cannot quit at will.

If you try to walk away you risk harsh punishments such as arrest, court martial, demotion in rank and pay,  a less than honorable discharge, loss of benefits, and potentially jail time. Voluntary discharges are sometimes granted, but not quickly, easily, or on your terms.

Lie: After training, it's just like a regular 9 to 5 job

Truth: The military controls your life even outside of work.

In the military, you "boss" can make you work long hours in addition to early morning PT and late night cleaning for inspections. You do not receive overtime or holiday pay. They can deny your leave, even for family emergencies. They limit where you can go when you're off work, and may prohibit you from leaving base altogether.  You do not have privacy in your own home and your "boss" can show up to inspect your room at any time.  They can prohibit you from having overnight guests or alcohol in your room. And you're not allowed to quit. This is not at all like a normal job, even for a military admin.