There is a lot of ignorance around the role of the military, the differences between the forces and the opportunities available. Lots of young people are lazier than yesteryear also and as you need to be drug free that rules a lot out hah.
Sure there's more risk than other jobs when deployed to a hostile environment, but that's actually not that often. There are lots more things the military do, whilst of course you need to be aware of the risk and the potential that you'd need to perhaps engage in active warfare; depending on the branch, the force and what's going on globally at the time makes a big difference.
Engineering in the navy is great nowadays- fully funded degrees, the ability to progress rapidly if you so wish, chance to travel. Of course it's not for everyone, you are away from home a lot and long periods at sea isn't for everyone, but many also thrive and although there is a RoS you can leave quicker in some circumstances.
I was in for 12 years and loved it. Played netball around the world, spent time in a tonne of countries (including NY as part of fleet week which was a highlight), took part in ceremonials such as remembrance day, as a nurse I helped many personnel and helped train HCPs in developing countries, was part of the aid relief effort after the boxing day tsunami, have made friends for life and it really enhanced my career prospects now out, managed to save for a house whilst living for free at sea and cheap ashore. I wouldn't have fancied the army or RAF personally, huge range of personalities in the navy.
Not minimising what some service personnel go through and the poor aftercare, but it's thankfully not the majority and things have changed a lot since afghan.