<p>You should not denigrate the achievements of high school students. Their achievements are being assessed for quality - how did they excel relative to other students; did they prove to be natural leaders or winners of competitive awards. The number of ECs listed, or the number of hours spent, is not so important.</p>
<p>Veteran status is only desirable if you can prove some intellectual or personal growth from it. It is very easy, at minimal level, to serve in the military. It does not take much ability or initiative, maybe some luck, to simply get through five years.</p>
<p>If you have a compelling story, and good grades and test scores, fine.</p>