How the US military became a welfare state

I'm a veteran. I come from a very poor family. It was through only joining the military that I was able to crawl from below the poverty line to the middle class. I'm now a software engineer in New York and enjoy an upper middle class life style.

I wish every American, veteran or not, had access to the same welfare that every Soldier, Marine, and Sailor enjoys. Easy Access to housing, healthcare, childcare, family counselling, legal assistance, and education benefits allow for greater mobility between economic social stratas. Every American Should have access to these things without having to join the military to receive them.

EDIT: Grammar.