I work for Cadbury & have been there almost 10 years. I feel fairly secure as I work on the distribution side but If I worked at one of our manufacturing plants I'd be worried. As of 2010 some of your favorite chocs will be made in Poland!
Turkish delight.
Mini Eggs.
Double Decker.
Frys creme.
Crunchie.
Etc........
Already Creme egg twisted, Milk tray, Brunch bars & eclaires are made there. Currently 50% of everything we make comes from abroad. A worrying trend :-(
Everyone that I know who is in, or was in loved it.
Everyone who is currently in, are making tons of money right now. Way more then one would think. This was like at least 7 or 8 years ago was an E6 Military Police Active, and he said he was making $60k a year having fun, and doing what he loved. He was going to get shipped out, but then quit as he had a kid.
A friend right now in Reserve as an E4 and is making $1,500/mo for just 1 weekend of his time which isn't bad at all. $18k for just 24 days of his time without all the other staff that he might do.
He has been in for 3 years as well, and in Jan. might get shipped to Afghanistan.
Things are getting pretty safe right now, and Iraq is only going to get smaller in terms of troop numbers. Iraq wants us out by 2012, and I actually think that we have signed agreements. As well, Obama won't sign anything that keeps them their longer. Afghan will see a troop increase over the next two years, but will still be 3 times less then what is currently in Iraq.
As far as security, it is great. Military is ALWAYS going to be good for job security. It doesn't matter how poor the country is, Military is it. There are many countries that you can look at and see, like N.Korea, Russia, Iraq, ect. ect. In some places it may not be the safest job, but it is the only job that you can get that puts food on the table for the family.
I still am not sure if I am going to, but with my further options, I just might have to join up. Pays ok, and ok benefits for reserve. Signing bonus's are getting nuts as well. Plus, I can get retirement in 20 years, so when I am 40 years old I could say that I am retired. Start out as an E3 in the Air NG which would be nice. Start out higher then everyone else, cause those who have a 4-Year would be Officer training.