Soooo... I didn't intend for two highly requested fixes for The Sims 2 to drop within the space of a week and a half, buuuut...
Here's where you can download an experimental patch to fix the so-called 'object limit'!
https://github.com/spockthewok/TS2ObjectLimitFix
(Ultimate Collection only at the moment, I'm afraid).
The good news is:
Both @lordcrumps and @teaaddictyt have tested it with stupidly large CC folders and report that it works.
There isn't a dissertation the length of Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' you need to read through to understand wtf is going on.
The crashing wasn't caused by some hardcoded object limit at all! (That I know of).
An explanation of the issue for programmers:
And for everyone else:
The code for the Build/Buy menu was missing basic checks to confirm that the data it was trying to do things with was actually valid. No, I'm not joking.
Basically, it appears that all of the objects you can buy in the game are stored in something you can think of as being like a big, long list, which grows in size with the more custom objects you have.
The only purpose of the code that this plugin patches is to sort the items in the list into some kind of order. This is done by assessing if the value of the previous item in the list is larger than that of the item currently being looked at, and swapping their position if this is true (also known as an insertion sort).
In short, the game wasn't asserting that the data it was about to compare for sorting was valid before accessing it, and then promptly blowing up when it tried to do so and discovered it wasn't.
I imagine that the odds of the game making an oopsie and dumping some funky data into the list increases with the number of objects it is having to process - this might be why this issue only presents itself to those using multiple GB of Build/Buy CC. It was much easier to patch the code encountering the bad data within the list than to try and hunt down the mysterious culprit putting the data in there to begin with, so this is all the information I have at the moment unfortunately.
Either way, one of the first things you're taught when learning to code is to ALWAYS check that the data you're operating on has been initialised (i.e. it holds some kind of value). I guess someone at Maxis must have skipped that lecture :D
Is the 255 objects per subcategory limit theory true?
The Downloads folder I was using for testing had ~672 objects in the Deco/Misc subcategory (Maxis objects included). With the patch, I can freely navigate throughout the entire subcategory with zero crashes, so I guess not?
What about the whole OBJD limit thing?
People have varying beliefs of what the limit on OBJDs might be, but HCDU reports my Downloads folder had an OBJD count of 20,787. Again, without the patch the game would crash when switching categories in the Build/Buy catalogue, with the patch, no crashing.
If you want to hear my opinion on whether such a limit exists, watch this video.
Do I even need this patch if I don't use much CC?
As it adds some fairly important crash-prevention checks to part of the Build/Buy menu's functionality, I'd probably recommend using it anyway, just to be safe - we all know how much this game loves to crash!
Aaaah! I'm still getting crashes with the patch!
I'm aware that a few of you CC addicts out there have Downloads folders larger than the total size of everything ever uploaded to the internet, so if you still experience crashing in Build/Buy mode with this patch, please take a look at the mod's GitHub page and send me over the information requested there. Fingers crossed that shouldn't happen, but if it does, I'll try my best to investigate :)
Anyway...
Will
(I wish I had looked at this for my dissertation, as it was literally only a day's work).
With DXVK and S3SS living their high days, older Sims 3 installment guides are rapidly starting to become outdated. So here's a brand new and up-to-date step-by-step guide to go through when you do a fresh install of your game that will help you get the best performance you could possibly imagine for this old and laggy gem of a game.
Have Sims 3 installed, but is it performing abhorrently? I highly recommend a fresh install. You don't have to delete your saves or mods. Just get yourself a fresh bin to work with by uninstalling, going into your program files The Sims 3 folder and deleting any remnant files still in there. Then follow my guide!
All of the steps to follow are below the line ->
Step 1: install your game through your respected platform.
Just follow the regular steps and install the game without adding any other stuff yet whatsoever.
(I personally have a legit copy of the Sims 3 on Steam. If you use another app and have any questions, I'll probably not be able to help you.)
Step 2: run the game once through the official launcher. Once you get to the main menu, you can quit again.
It is very important you run your game through the original launcher at least once after installing it. Not doing so can cause problems with programs like CC magic. You only need to do it the first time. After that, we'll be skipping the launcher entirely.
Step 3: Create a short cut of TS3W.exe on your desktop.
You'll be skipping the launcher from now on. This helps with performance and it starts up your game much faster. It is also important to do this because of DXVK.
You can find TS3W.exe in your bin folder. For me (Steam version) it's in this location:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 3\Game\Bin
Right click TS3W.exe, click 'show more options' and choose 'create a shortcut'. Place this shortcut on your desktop and Run Sims 3 from there from now on.
Step 4: Run the GPU Add-on Support patcher
You can find this patcher here. It is essential to run this because Sims will otherwise not recognize your graphics card unless it's over 10 years old. This patcher helps to get your GPU recognized.
The patcher will create a new Graphicsrules.sgr and new Graphicscards.sgr for you in your bin folder. After installing this, you can move the ones that have _old behind them somewhere else (or delete them).
P.S.: if you pirate your game you'll have to do this manually, there's guides online for it but since I have a legit copy I can't help you here.
Step 5: Install DXVK
Make sure you follow this guide by Nornite and do every single step. Don't skip anything!
I'd say DXVK is pretty essential nowadays, especially if you have a modern graphics card with 6GB of VRAM or higher. It'll greatly help to keep your game stable and can prevent a lot of crashes. The way Dxvk works, is that it loads textures through your VRAM instead of your RAM. Especially when you use a lot of CC or HD textures, this will make a huge difference for your RAM usage. Sims 3 can only use 4GB of RAM at once and will start crashing once you hit the 3GB mark in your task manager. With DXVK, you will use a lot less RAM and it'll take much longer for your game to reach this hard cap.
When not to install DXVK: if you have a shitty GPU (like an integrated graphics card on a laptop, or one with 4GB of VRAM or less).
Step 5: Start up the game
Use your new desktop shortcut that also has 'run as administrator' permissions now if you followed the DXVK guide properly.
Step 6: set up all your settings through the ingame options menu
The best graphics settings for you will highly depend on what computer you're using. But there are some things you should always turn off because they negatively affect performance. I will share my (relevant) settings with you (I use a custom UI so your screen style will look a little different from mine). Click on the images to enlarge them so you can read them:
Things of note about these settings:
I recommend you play in windowed mode, especially if you plan to use ReShade. Playing fullscreen is possible, but it does make Reshade presets behave differently in your game. I will include a step in this guide that you can follow to play windowed borderless. So, when you plan to do this: make sure you set the resolution to your display resolution.
Enable object hiding helps with performance. Advanced rendering is essential because otherwise your game looks like absolute shit.
Set your High Detail Lots to any value between 2 and 4. Don't go lower or higher, because you'll get rendering issues that lag out your game.
All other graphics settings can be set to your heart's desire. I'd say start with the highest settings and only go down if you notice your frames per second are bad.
Disable shop mode and lessons and fully disable memories or use this mod to severly limit them. Disable interactive loading screens as well. These are all performance eaters. Interactive loading screen also causes crashes. Memories also don't do anything for your sim, it's just a scrap book with no in-game effects.
Disable any online mode feature. This also lags out your game. Unless you really want to use these features it's best to just play fully offline.
Save your settings, close the game again.
Step 7: Install Sims 3 Settings Setter
This is the most recent magic genie that Sims 3 was blessed with. Especially combined with DXVK it is a life changer. Installing it is simple. You download the most recent version here and drop the .asi file in your bin. Also grab 'wininet.dll' from here and drop that one in your bin too.
Start up your game and load up a save. Once you're inside your save, you press 'insert' to open up the menu for Sims 3 Settings Setter. Go to the 'patches' tab and enable what you like. These are my enabled patches and they all work really well for me, but feel free to experiment with them to find your own performance sweet spot:
Only enable uncompressed textures if you have a GPU with at least 8gb of VRAM. My game will use over 6gb of VRAM easily with this enabled, so you've been warned.
Once you have everything you desire enabled, press 'file' in the top left corner and click 'save settings'.
Step 7.5: if you're playing windowed mode: go into the Other/QoL tab and enable 'Borderless Window'. Set it to 'Full Screen'.
Save your settings and close your game again. No need to save the game you entered for this unless you want to.
Step 8: Install Nraas Errortrap, MasterController and Overwatch
These 3 mods by Nraas are pretty much essential to keep your game from breaking down in the long run. You can download the mods here. Have you never installed a mod for Sims 3 before? Here's a guide (skip the part about Sims3pack and go straight to the part where it explains how to install .package mods).
That's it! You can now play The Sims 3 and it'll be as smooth and stable as it'll ever be. From here on, you can stock your game with more mods and CC (check out my mods masterlist!), or you can install Reshade (here's a guide).
Some important things to keep in mind while playing:
Clean up your game regularly. You can easily do this by using Regul Save Cleaner.
When you install a new mod or update/change Sims 3 Settings Setter, always restart and clear your caches.
Use CC Magic for installing CC, because it merges your files and this really helps with performance. Here's a handy guide on how to use it. Don't put your script mods in here, just your CC.
If you plan to travel to vacation destinations in the EP World Adventures, Nraas Traveler is a must to prevent most of the bugs and crashes that happen in this expansion.
Always keep in mind: mods and corrupt CC can still break your game, make it laggy or unplayable. Always be mindful of the mods you add, so you can always trace any issues you're having back to the mod causing it. I highly recommend not downloading a ton of mods in one session, but adding them step by step and see what they do to your games performance.
Use 'Reset the entire town' from Nraas MasterController at least every other sim week. It'll help clear up any lag that happens because of NPC sims getting themselves stuck routing or annoying stuff like that.
Got a slow CAS? Use Nraas MasterController Compact mode! (Make sure you have the Nraas MasterController Integration module installed).
Navigate to NRaas > MasterController > Settings > CAS.
Set the following to True:
Show in Compact Form: Accessories
Show in Compact Form: Clothing
Show in Compact Form: Hats
Fun fact: lingering pink soup might be caused by borked files inside shader cache. This post contains instructions on how to clean caches on windows 10 (or 11)
Playing TS2 on Nvidia GPU:
How to clear shader cache
Symptoms: The pink comes back even after PC restart - but each time you run a game it's a bit less intense.
⚠️If you get pink flashing after 1+ hour of gameplay, that's likely memory related, and clearing shader caches won't help.
Invalid shader cache file - possible causes
Pine's post-processing mod called Custom Post Effects, or an edit by DreadPirate (if it's present in Downloads it may cause pink soup, without enabling the features)
Conflicting shader mods
Broken mods
Game crashed when shaders were being compiled
GPU driver-related issues
(It's not relevant for TS2 but I might as well mention that in modern games, a major game update or driver update can make older cache files obsolete and cause some issues until files get refreshed.)
⚠️Shader-specific issues usually summon pink soup faster than 'usual' memory issues, often as soon after you open the game. If you have a shader conflict going on, clearing cache won't do much until you remove culprit mods.
Let's say you removed the problematic mod, and the pink still lingers. You could wait it out. Well, you don't just "wait", you need to actually play for a while, let the driver identify invalid files and re-compile them. But it can be frustrating if you have a small window of time you'd like to spend taking screenshots. You can speed things up, and clear caches manually.
You start by clearing .cache files in /Documents/ The Sims 2 folder, of course.
[ *if you use DXVK: clear dxvk shader cache in your TS2 game exe folder]
Clearing DX / GL shader caches:
Don't do this when the game is running.
Don't do this if you don't experience lingering pink - this is not a cure for random pink flashing
⚠️If you play many games, naturally this will affect them - games take longer to load when shaders are being compiled!
1. First, open NVIDIA Control Panel /Manage 3D Settings, take note of the current Shader Cache Size settings, then set the size to Disabled and restart your system*
*This is a 'proper' way, but sometimes I skip this step if I really don't want to restart PC.
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
Type:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\
..and press Enter.
3. Clean DX cache folders:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\DXCache
%LOCALAPPDATA%low\NVIDIA\PerDriverVersion\DXCache
4. Clean OpenGL shader cache folder:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\GLCache
Of course you could try to only clean DX cache (or GL cache, if you play with DXVK), that might work.
*You may wonder, why clean GL /or DX shader cache if TS2 game runs on DX / or Vulcan? Apparently, there could be some "spillovers" in all cache folders. And I did notice files being generated in DX cache folder when I run TS2 via DXVK.
5. Re-enable Shader Cache Size in NVIDIA Control Panel, if you disabled it. Set it to driver default, or whatever you set before (if you play 'AAA games', 10GB is the recommended GPU cache size. By default it's 4GB for most modern GPUs). Restart the system.
Tip: prevent automatic clean-up of shader caches. If you use automatic disc cleaning, exclude DX Cache folder.
6. Optional:
Windows DX shader cache might contain "corrupted" files. You can use windows "Disc Cleanup" feature, it includes windows DX cache folder.
Or you can do it manually, these should be at
%LOCALAPPDATA%\D3DSCache
Windows might also use secondary shader caches. On my system these are always empty though (AppData = a hidden folder):
Here you’re getting six recolours of the Seasons oven mitts and ten of Billy Jean’s spoon holder mesh. Again, the file names are numbered, so it’s easy to remove any recolours you don’t want in-game.
Seasons EP required for the mitt recolours!
Download:
Sizzling Cuisine Mitts recolours || Billy Jean Spoon holder recolours
::Both::
Credits: Billy Jean; Maxis; Colour Lovers. (just discovered them wow)
Made it for myself, I might as well share. If there's something I've missed please let me know.
This list is being updated, Tumblr is being a pain and updates won't show up on re-blogs. Visit the original post to view the most current version.
Mirror: Dreamwidth.
Sims 2 - Lot Makeover Database [of Maxis Lots] [Note the Uploading Tutorial].
SkyBox/Horizons/Skylines Database.
Maxis Career Conversions TS1+3+4 to TS2 [Sorted by Game&EP - Under Downloads].
Fractured Moonlight's Stone Super Set Database [Creator Unknown, let me know if you know].
By Theme:
List of Maxis Lost & Found Objects Converted into Usable Items.
Stories to Sims 2 Conversion Database. [DW Backup]
TS1 to TS2 Conversion/Recreation Database.
TS1 to TS2 Catalog Conversions [Active, Includes OG Object Descriptions].
TS3 to TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
TS3 to TS2 Traits Project Mod Tracking Sheet [Blog Ver.]
TS4 to TS2 CAS Conversion Archive [EA].
TS4 to TS2 CC Clothing Conversion Database [Custom - ts4 only?].
TS4 to TS2 Build/Buy Conversion Database [EA].
TS4 to TS2 CC Build & Buy Database [Custom].
The Sims spin-off games to the PC TS2 [&3+4].
TSM-to-TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
Sims 2 Historical Finds [CAS&Objects] [Sorted by Era/Period].
Historical Sims 2 Wiki [New!].
Grunge Masterlist Project 2025.
List of Asian Sims 2 Sites With Working Downloads [As of 2017?].
CC Archives:
Sim Archive Project, at The Internet Archive [Introduction Post].
Sims Cave.
Sims Graveyard.
Simblr.cc - Dead-Site Repository.
Liquid Sims - Community Archives.
The Booty, at PSMBD.
Sims 2 Packrat, on Tumblr [Watch out for the recent SFS Hacking problem].
Ekrubynaffit (a.k.a bestbuild4sims) has re-uploaded a lot of archives of defunct creators. Albums with DL on her pinterest. Mainly build and buy mode, thanks a lot!
Resources:
CEP-Extras List, Huge Lunatic at Sims 2 Artists.
The Sims 2 Tutorials Database [Active] (Really needs a backup outside of Tumblr).
Several Lists of Maxis Resources for Modding,Pick'n'Mix Mods, own website, under Notes.
List of all Color Actions, With DL, ZeroDark/Graphic at GoS.
List of all WSO Actions, by Blue Heaven Sims, under Resources.
List of Hacks & Mods That Use Tokens, Bulbizarre at MTS.
Giant List of Simlish Fonts - Collect ‘Em All!, by franzillasims.
Masterlists of Recolouring Templates; MTS [+Cloning] | Hafiseazle | ZreoDark [not a list but a tag].
Index of Effects Names & Definitions [+ Guide], by AmmarAskar at GitHub.
Update notes are under the cut:
Update: Custom Clothing Conversion db [4t2], by @brandinotbroke/ Hair db, by @krabbysims/ Sims 4t2 CAS Conversion Archive [EA], by @mdpthatsme/ CEP-Extras List, by @hugelunatic/ Lists of Maxis Resources for Modding, by @picknmixsims/ Sims 2 Tutorials db [Active], by @sims2tutorials/ Sim Archive Project at The Internet Archive, by various - see @simnostalgia.
Update 1: added EA ts2 store items at GoS/ Painting sizes db/ Tutorials db, by @sims2tutorials.
Update 2: GUID db Revival.
Update 3: believe it or not, there's more - Shoes db/ Sims 2. Functional Finds [sorted by function], by @sims2functionalfinds.
Update 4: Resource list: Clutter and decorative items, at @gardenofshadowssims.
Update 5: added archives section.
Update 6: added @ekrubynaffit's Pinterest Archive.
Update 7: Fixed TSM link, added Stories db/ Afro Hairstyles db, by @letomills/ SkyBox/Horizons/Skylines Database, by @simmergetic/ Grunge Masterlist Project 2025, by @pixeldolly/ and DW backup links (Everything that's exclusively on Tumblr/LJ should be backed somewhere else).
Update 8: List of Asian Sims 2 Sites With Working Downloads [as of 2017?] by @0201-sims.
Update 9: added Sims 2 Repository Finds [sorted into categories], by @sims2repositoryfinds.
Update 10: added Sims 2 Object db [Discontinued], because the more the better.
Update 11 Yet another (!): The Maxis Match Repository Project [CAS], by @whattheskell [how did i forget?]/ TS3 to TS2 Traits Project Mod Tracking Sheet, by Rowena Sims & @noodlebelli.
Update 11: Maxis Career Conversions TS1+3+4 to TS2 [Sorted by Game&EP - Under Downloads], by @sims2idea-lientebollemeis2i.
Update 12: HS I found another one: List of all Color Actions - Names, Creators, and Download Links. Maintained for over a decade by @zerographic at GoS :P
Update 13: separated by type & theme. added Sims 2 Historical Finds [CAS&Objects] [Sorted by Era/Period], by @ts2history.
Update 14: added to resources Trait GUID db, by @fireflowersims.
Update 15: I shit you not, there's more - Sims 2 Lot Makeover db [Maxis Lots], by @ts2lotmakeoverdb/ List of Hacks & Mods That Use Tokens, Bulbizarre at MTS/ TS1 Catalog Conversions [Active], by @kitteninthewindow/ WSO Action Masterlist, by Blue Heaven Sims under Resources.
Update 16: List of Maxis Lost & Found Objects Converted into Usable Items, @kirlicues.
Update 17: Sims 2 Lot db [Maxis ones emptied out], by @mikexx2 @mrsktrout @ts2lots.
Update 18: Historical Sims 2 Wiki [New!], by @theacmecatalogblog.
Update 19: under archives; Simblr.cc - Dead-Site Repository by @simblrcc-site. Jackpot!
Update 20: added Giant List of Simlish Fonts - Collect ‘Em All!, by @franzillasims.
Update 21 [can't believe there's more]: Masterlists of Recolouring Templates; MTS [+Cloning] | @hafiseazale | @zerographic [not a list but a tag].
Update 22(!): Index of Effects Names & Definitions [+ Guide], by AmmarAskar at GitHub.
Update 23: added Sims 2 - Wall Hanging Decor Recolors Database [New!], by @sims-for-semi
Underrated CC-free TS2 tool: the Decoration Transformer
The Decoration Transformer is a classic modded object for The Sims 2 that I used a lot before I learned about OMSPs, but now that I'm getting back into CC-free builds, I'm finding it's become extremely useful again.
Simply put, the Decoration Transformer changes how the game recognises the "size" of whatever object you place on it, so now that object will be able to fit into small decorative slots such as shelves, fireplaces, coffee tables, the backs of counters, etc.
Take the BG alarm clock for example. Even with moveobjects, it will not snap to the decorative slots on the coffee table, shelf, or fireplace - but after using the Decoration Transformer, it will snap easily to all of these decorative slots (right).
This is useful for Maxis decorative objects which are incorrectly flagged (such as this vase), plants, stereos, lamps, and some functional CC such as books-as-bookcases.
Unfortunately, there is a limitation, in that only objects which can be placed on an end table can be transformed.
"Can't I use OMSPs for that?"
You sure can, but I find this a lot more convenient - if I move a shelf, I don't have to move a bunch of floating objects along with it - but most importantly for CC-free builds, transformed objects stay transformed and do not require CC to be uploaded with shared lots.
"Aesthetically, what's the benefit over just shifting the object with Shiftable Everything?"
Partly convenience, but mostly: routing. If you raise an object with Shiftable Everything, Sims will still consider it to be in their way, which can cause issues with trying to go places or interact with intersecting objects. But objects on decorative slots will not interfere with Sims trying to interact with those objects/surfaces, and objects placed on shelves will not interfere with routing at all.
This is, once again, very convenient for CC-free builds, as it does not require CC such as walk-around or walk-through blocks.
Make sure to read the Decoration Transformer's MTS2 page to understand the instructions for how to use it before downloading. But enjoy a little added flexibility and convenience in your low/no-CC decorating!
Many simmers have been asking me for my private Sims 3 conversions for a long time but since I uninstalled the game some time ago, I couldn't find which hard drive I saved all my custom content on... UNTILL NOW!
I'm sharing over 450 .package files of conversions from TS2, TS4, Cities: Skylines and that online game we should not mention here 😉
There are five .zip files with over 1.2Gb of content converted for my personal use over the years. I'm so sorry but as I said, I don't have TS3 installed right now so I can't take preview pics.
Also keep in mind some files could be not finished or have some tiny bugs because again, this was for my personal use so I didn't care about some things not being fully finished back then.
Feel free to do whatever pleases you with this CC (edit, share, ect.), just give credit if you consider it.
Tell me if you find any trouble, but keep in mind i don't have the game nor the programes I used installed, so maybe I can't be much of a help, but feel free to ask!
If you're in the US, now is a great time to talk to the young people in your life about the US military:
The recruiter is not your friend. The military employs child psychologists to learn how to make you think the recruiter is your friend.
The recruiter is allowed to lie to you and makes more money if they do.
The recruiter is paid a commission to groom children into cannon fodder.
The recruiter will tell you you're special and will go into special smart soldier programs instead of combat. They're lying.
The recruiter may tell you they can tell if someone can get PTSD or not and only recruit people like you, who won't. They're lying.
The recruiter may tell you you'll be too busy attending free college (!!) to go overseas. They're lying.
The recruiter may ask what countries you want to travel to and promise you bougie placements on military bases in those countries. They're lying.
Even "It's just four years!" is a lie - the government is allowed to hold you past your enlistment period with a stop-loss order.
The recruiter actually has zero power to decide anything that happens to you after you enlist and they more importantly don't care what happens to you.
If you enlist, you will be brainwashed to make you willing to do things to other humans that you would never be willing to do today.
You will be ordered to do things that will kill children. And you'll do them.
The military is not the only way or even the best way for you to go to college or start a career.
Military brainwashing will actually make you into a terrible university student because it degrades your ability to think critically and question your sources.
Having PTSD and/or a TBI will make it harder to be a student and keep a job.
Veterans' benefits suck these days.
Being a veteran drastically increases your risk of homelessness, suicide, alcohol and drug dependence, prison time, and becoming an abuser to your loved ones.
The military will expose you to chemicals that will drastically increase your chances of developing cancer.
The military will withhold information about your rights to conscientiously object after enlisting.
If you want an organization who WILL tell you the truth about your rights to conscientiously object, how to legally get out of the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) or about any of your other rights in the military (whether you’re enlisted, thinking about enlisting, or a family member or friend of someone enlisted (or thinking about enlisting)), who will do it confidentially & for free, you want the
GI Rights Hotline
run by NGOs & non-profits, which has been counseling folks for DECADES now:
Are you in the military or thinking about joining? Are you unsure of where to get reliable answers? Call the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-
Even if all the person you're speaking to cares about is the money, the money sucks.
Minimum wage in California just went up to $16.90. You need to be rank E4 or be E3 with at least 3 years of service before you're making more than the CA minimum wage in the military.
You will literally get better pay and benefits working at a costco. (And that's not even accounting for the fact that the military isn't a 40 hour work week, your entire life is on the clock)
I cannot emphasize this enough, if you're a desperate young queer person you will make better money, get better healthcare, and have more affordable options for school if you move to California, get a job at costco, live with roommates, and go to community college than you will have if you join the US military.
