I see your point for sure, but I would say that the decision to enlist can only be deemed intelligent versus competing alternatives. If you've got a prestigious university admission or high-paying job lined up, it's best not to. It you are looking to learn a trade, secure funding for college, or exit a dismal living situation, enlisting could potentially be one of your more intelligent actions. Only a small part of the military is involved in front-line combat, so the risks can be managed by choice of MOS.

It's a shame we've had so many war-mongering politicians that an enlistee cannot trust that their altruism would be used judiciously. Trump has been pretty good about this versus the McCain's and Duckworth's of the world who insist on keeping a substantial U.S. military presence in the middle east.