re: Why are we supposed to tell service members, “thank you for your service”?

Many people choose to but there is no requirement. This sounds like reaching to be outraged just for the sake of being outraged. If you don’t want to, don't

When a waiter or waitress, brings your dinner to the table, do you tell them thank you?

Its simple manners.

Here's a secret: Most wish you wouldn't

You don’t have to say anything. We just hope you’re able to figure out which gender you are and your mom lets you back on the Wi-Fi so you can stream your favorite gamer on twitch.

Thank you for your service.

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The vast majority have never and will never see a “war zone.”

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But, that doesn't change the fact they still joined knowing they could be assigned to fight in a war zone.

Wrong. They’re doing it for the free sex change.

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Why do we still call it “the service” when the vast majority of those who are enlisting are doing it for their own job training, college tuition, etc

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Because military service is in no way, shape, or form like a corporate job.

For a whole shitload of reasons.

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But, that doesn't change the fact they still joined knowing they could be assigned to fight in a war zone.

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I suspect plenty of military folks would endorse the idea that plenty of service members intentionally choose paths they know will limit the likelihood of being put in harms way, and that it's quite possible to do that with a high degree of accuracy/certainty.

That said, I think spending months/years somewhere undesirable, doing something that may not be desirable, perhaps away from family and friends, is nonetheless noble. It just may not merit some of the drama we usually attach to military service at large.

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The vast majority have never and will never see a “war zone.”

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This is absolutely correct. But you are still signing a check payable to the United States up to and including you life. You are committing to something you cannot walk away from. It isn't like your Burger King job. When Lequisha tells you are working the drive up window and cleaning the bathrooms you can't get mad and go home and play video games all day.

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could cost them their life protecting yours and your family’s life.

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It could, but when's the last time the US Army fought to protect the liberties of US citizens, 1865?

And even then, they weren't too popular around these parts for some time.