I think you have a wrong idea of current military (at least USAF): they increased benefits to compete with civilian world, and some are better.
A 17 years old punk with lips that haven't dried up of milk, after 1 year of tech school will be working on a multi-million dollar aircraft. Try to find same opportunities in civilian world with that much responsibility. (You will not be able to). I'm not a recruiter so I'll stop right here....
I think that can be said by any military force: professional or otherwise; they are all tools in global politics with ultimate goal of self benefit.