I've previously posted here about my experiences when single with girls on dating chat sites asking if i was a RM before even asking my name, where i lived, or anything else. early on, i would answer no, only to have no more questions asked of me, as if that was a singular disqualification. Eventually i stopped answering private messages that asked that question first. Not 1 asked if i had served an HONORABLE mission.As if there was no distinction. Missionaries that come home early are still RMs, too.Amazed me that so few even asked me WHY i didn't? If they had asked further, they would have learned that i became inactive at 16, and having returned to church at 32 was no longer at the NORMAL missionary serving age. The only one who ever asked if i had a desire to serve on later in life is my wife. We do desire to serve a mission after we retire.
Of course there are blessings for serving a mission. But it is not for everyone, nor is it always a good experience. It is a PERSONAL choice.
Do I wish I had served? Sometimes. Am I a different person than I would be if I had served? Absolutely. Am I a better or worse person because of it? Not 1 person on this earth can answer that question.