The US military always seems so focused on projecting a strong image. In these times of impending threats from the East, are there enough incentives for young people to choose the military, even after their studies are finished, over the traditional academic path of college and graduate school?

Also, this reminded me of the WWI documentary from Peter Jackson, "They Shall Not Grow Old", and the british comic "Charley's War" by Pat Mills.

Creating a strong image to adversaries, aka deterrent, is a key function of all nations militaries. But the US conducts tough rigorous exercises against impossible odds constantly. All ground forces are rotated through NTC and JRTC where expert opfor units are given all the toys, home-field advantage, and usually win.

I wouldn't encourage anyone to enlist myself, but the benefits are still pretty good even if the salary is crap. The GI Bill doesn't expire anymore and you can get a lot of credits easily while you're in. Subsidized housing, food, free healthcare, free college, etc. It's a pretty comfy life for someone out of high school with zero plans.

I enlisted during what turned out to be the absolute nadir of the Iraq war (2005-2010) so the risk today is also a lot less ominous IMO (for now lol...)

Well, you're supposed to get the lifelong disability by claiming PTSD, Tinnitus, Migraine. That's why disability has skyrocketed recently. Social media has allowed spreading the game plan pretty widely and most veterans know how to get as close to 100% disability as possible. There are entire channels dedicated to gaming this.

There are lots of healthy people out there claiming this (though obviously there are lots of people who do actually have the conditions as well).

Graduate school has never been part of the "traditional path" for the majority of people. And it's only recently that an associate's and bachelor's degree have become something of a default.

Anecdotally, yes: I have two young cousins who both joined the US military this year.

There are many young, economically disenfranchised Americans that see the military as a way out of poverty. The military understands this and positions recruitment centers in poorer neighborhoods.