Knowing you had to pay a co-pay at VA, would you get your care elsewhere?

I have found some military retirees make a different choice.

For many, the "promise" made by recruiters of lifetime health benefits makes them think so. The part many of them missed was if they retired military. I don't recall my recruiter making such promises. But when my son looked into enlisting he came home to tell his Mother and me of all the benefits. When he mentioned lifetime care, I knew I wanted to speak with the recruiter. And yes, the young E4 confirmed what my son told us. I provided the recruiter a clarification mentoring opportunity.