Pros
All medical expenses are covered. Opportunity to learn a trade. Being selected for courses and learning a new skill. Friends for life. Opportunity for overseas. Sense of pride(it's not very regular but it can happen). Maintaining a high level of fitness. Being stationed anywhere except Cathal Bruagh. Junior Officers will usually treat you with the most respect.
Cons
Harassment. Bullying. Favouritism when being selected for courses. 24 hour duties(sometimes two or even three times per week). Many NCO's are constantly angry and abuse power. Very few NCO's will address issues within Companies. Many Officers think that they're God's gift to the Defence Forces. It seems as if people who always bluff and go sick off duties get the easiest positions and employments. A lot of soldiers are working two jobs just to maintain a steady income. It's quite hard to make an actual career. There are many cases of depression, stress and drug abuse which are all swept under the rug. Privates and Corporals are treated like children when it comes to any simple task. Once 2-3 Star training ends and you're sent to your barracks, it all goes downhill. The majority of days are spent on duty, cleaning a locker room or waiting for parade.