How many civilian employer's expect you to stay 25 years? Or commit long-term without a trial period? And how many would interview you, and ask if you are going to stay for 25 years, and if you say "no" then count you out?
As with any career, military or civilian, you may apply for a job and go through the hiring process, and I think both parties know that no matter how much you "want this job," it's still going to be a feeling out process for a few years before you make any long-term decisions. If an interviewer asks "what are your future long-term plans?" and you say "outside the next 2-3 years I only have ideas, not long-term plans that I am committed to," I think they would be happy knowing you're going to give it a 2-3 year shot to see if it's for you.
I agree that the military is a lifestyle but some people act like it's a marriage, and you're marrying the Queen B***h, and God knows you're going to hell if you get a divorce too.