I live in another country, but I faced a similar choice to the one that is confronting you about 34 years ago now. And from what you have said here, I'd say the choice is obvious.
Service. Serve your country. In the capacity that you see fit. I chose military service myself, but other service has value as well.
If you choose to serve, that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Money is nice. But it doesn't compare with what allows you to go to sleep each night, knowing you have made a difference.
But also don't think the choice is as stark as it may seem. People can serve in the most surprising places, and not all of them mean you don't earn money. If you decide to go into the private sector, that doesn't mean you're making a choice not to serve people as well. If you work for a corporation and you do your best to ensure that corporation behaves ethically, that's a valuable task as well. Helping that company to make money so it helps your nations economy can be important as well. In whatever you choose to do, keep your eye out for the chance to do what's right and meaningful.
But if you choose more traditional forms of service - remember they do not have to be forever. If you make the choice to serve, in ten years time, you might decide to leave public service in pursuit of a buck - but you'll always be able to remember that this wasn't all you've done with your life.
Great post. Well done.