It definitely makes sense. Obviously your going to do what your going to do and you have my respect either way, but the only thing I'll say is there are other ways to test oneself in life that don't involve putting oneself in danger and maybe even more importantly getting in a situation where you are forced to take life. You can always go to a local community college for 2 years and then decide after that if you still want to join... It's good to have options and I think it's crazy 18 year olds can make decision like this with limited life experience. It certainly helps to get out there and even travel a bit on the cheap, experience the world, etc, before committing yourself to an institution for 4 years. I'm friends with a few veterans and to be frank with you, they all wish they had gone a different direction at 18.