free education, commission, retirement bennies..that's why he joined..then he found out he might have to give his life and changed his mind..
I don't think so in this case. He joined after 9-11. He had to know the possibilities when he joined. Not that almost anyone, especially someone getting a commission, wouldn't know that anyway. It's a big decision, full of those sorts of weighty factors. Also there's a big difference between making it at 18 and making it at 21 or 22.
His father is big left wing politico, IOW, he's a Red Diaper Baby, with plenty of money and good prospects in civilian life, at a government job if nothing else. He likely wanted to "make a statement".