My oldest brother graduated from high school in 1954. He was the oldest of 6 children. We lived on a sugar cane plantation where my dad worked. There was no way he could afford to go to college and he so wanted to join the Army. He said he could get an education there. And he did, and he did well. He retired 26 years later with 2 tours in Viet Nam, and many other countries where he could take his family.
He returned home and went to work with the state. He worked for the state until his death, 6 years ago today. He was buried with military honors on November 7, 2007, the day President George Bush was elected President for his first term. They both won that day.
And all he had gone into the army was a high school diploma.
Thanks (through you) for your dad's service. The GI Bill is good.