Simple really. Are you a fully trained soldier? Are you able to fly your helicopter at speeds up to 120 knts, below 50 feet and fight a battle at the same time? Can you direct artillery fire or talk in fast jets to attack a target? etc, etc, etc.
If you'd joined the military 10 years ago then you could probably say yes to the above and be on your way. As you didn't...c'est la vie.
