I served 28 years, my wife 22. Our son and daughter-in-law are almost at 8 years. Six of our seven kids were either born in military hospitals, or civilian hospitals courtesy of Champus (yes I am that old) or Tri-Care at no or very little cost to us. Our 6th child was born with severe birth defects, and spent almost the first 2 years of his life in and out of Children's Hospital, at no cost, including visiting nurse care. That service is now paying for 2 of our kids college education, and will cover the youngest 2 in the next 3 years. Our service son and daughter-in-law are attending Georgetown through the military. Our oldest 2 worked and we toughed it out to cover college for them since neither of us was retired yet, and benefits were'nt available then.
My wife is using her Vocational Rehab benefits to become a Nurse Practitioner. We have available to us, per our qualification through the VA: VA Home Loan, Small Business Loan, Vocational Rehab Training, Home Improvement Loan, Disabled Vet Home Improvement Loan, Debt Consolidation Loan, and the GI Bill for school just to name a few. Oh, and let me not forget the Veteran's Preference for Government jobs,and Government Contractor jobs, that's emplying us both at present. Nevermind the almost 5k per month between us for the rest of our lives from our retired pensions and disability pensions. I am 51 and my wife is 44. We have a conventional mortgage on our home, but will probably use the VA Home Loan when we actually retire completely.
Granted, things such as the pension are only available to career retirees, but the vast majority are available to just about every honorably discharged veteran, usually after 4 years of service, (some only after 180 days of active duty!). You just have to get off your butt and go see the VA. Yes there is a lot of red tape and hassle, but the www has streamlined that from the bad old days.
Yes, serving is a risk. Wars kind of go with the job. At the risk of minimizing that risk, I see more people every day taking more risks, repeatedly, by talking on their cell phones on the highway.
So, yeah I guess they're not taking care of me, and I wouldn't encourage anyone to serve.
Edit: By the way, I've had stents put in my arteries, and my wife went through breast cancer, in and out of the military...little or no cost as well.