it sounds like you have a good system worked out for your current situation. I didnt bring any pets to canada cause it cost A LOT. so be prepared it could cost you a lot of money.
and don't listen to the recruiter, The american military have killed thousands over the last 11 years in Iraq and Afghanistan for no apparent reason, they need more support so of course they want to entice you. there are many courses available online, where you can go to China or japan and teach english. whilst youre there you get free accomodation aswell as a pay check. I've heard that in China they actually give you the option to stay and be a full time teacher if you like it enough.
the worlds a very open place these days if you want to travel, you could do it by helping others less fortunate instead of maintaining a military presence on a country that is still suffering effects from the H bomb the same military dropped.
and may I add that being a military expat in Japan is not going to win you many friends either, they are a very tighly knit culture, 3rd generation koreans that are born in japan and so were their parents are still considered foreigners in Japan, even though they have adopted all japanese language and culture. just keep that in mind.
My recruiter wasn't trying to trick me and win me over, He was just commenting on my situation after I told him my story. It may not win me friends in Japan but it's still a country I'd like to visit.