Finding out this is kind of how the US militaries work. Don't think I'll look at servicemen the same way again

Christ. Just getting them below the waterline with a ship that big is going to be a gigantic faff.

Smithers, release the hounds 👏

All the responses are correct. These days it's a complicated web of various factors, but the academic term I was taught for it was social caging (yeah, I know I probably misspelled that). In short, the state seeks its continued existence (and its existence is solely dependent on the violence of the military and police (and yeah, I know, I'm oversimplifying it)). Therefore, it uses various means of social pressure to encourage military service. Honor, glory, duty, citizenship, etc. The book Starship Troopers puts this into perspective quite well, very much worth a read (completely different from the movie from what I understand) (and no, I don't agree with the society it puts forth, but I really don't think the author does either. Read The Forever War afterward, a book written almost in response to Starship Troopers, they are strangely two books best read together).

Poverty

Free health care, education, and a leased commaro.

Its often called the poverty draft. Its basically the only way to get access to socialised medicine (VA benefits), housing (VA subsidized loans), and education (GI bill).

Drive through bumfuck, nowhere in the US. You'll find a town of about 5-10k population, an hours drive from civilization, and it will be full of dilapidated ruins of houses.

Every road in/out of town will have a billboard telling you to join the marines.

Propaganda and desperation. We would literally need an anti-recruitment campaign to discourage people from signing up in high schools everywhere but the alternatives aren't exactly appealing.

Right, but youre talking about uneducated poor 18 year olds who have been fed propaganda their entire lives and see it as their only escape while potentially doing something good. And then they get in and theyre beaten down and brainwashed even further.

Theyre basically cultists. We SHOULD hold them accountable for what they do, but the blame does not lay squarely on their shoulders.

Because in the US the military is a good way to get out of poverty. It gives you all the "socialist" stuff you get for free in other countries. You know, free education, health insurance, pensions and disability benefits. It also pays relatively well for someone that has no other skills and qualifications.

Its zero entry bar, mostly comfortable, well playing job.

Honestly no one should die alone, fragging would be preferable