Once upon a time in the US judges gave a lawbreaker the choice between prison or join the military right up through Vietnam that I know of. Most chose the military, even before then went to prison. So you little argument fails.
Good boys that needed structure were allowed to join the military instead of facing some charges, which is a vast difference from hardened, convicted prison inmates.
Teens who were perceived as good boys, not convicted killers and rapists, and robbers, tried, convicted, sentenced, and sitting in prisons.