That seems uncalled for. And I’m a libertarian.
This is my first foray into GD … if I’m a little naive, please forgive.
For 4 years in the 70s I belonged to a cult 3HO. They are based on the Sikh faith, but incorporate much new age as well as yogic traditions, which aren’t a part of mainstream Sikhism. Long story short: I got involved while still in college, was drawn in by the yoga–the Sikh faith was gradually incorporated. I did not have family money, so when I made the decision to leave it wasn’t a big thing to them, although I did seek out counseling for myself. Yogi Bhajan, founder of 3HO, passed away in 2004–many in the community follow his teachings to the nth degree. They seem to be holding up, though.
Take a look for yourself–they are, as I’ve said, Sikhs but may be a good example of the difference between a cult and a sect.
And what did the Army, and then the Navy, try to do with my mind? Please limit your answer to what the real Army and Navy did, not what the TV & movie version of them supposedly do.
Many cults will pay you - in a respect - as well. Communal living arrangements, providing food, shelter, employment on a collective. Or even just providing you with a routine to do everyday, such as spreading information and looking for recruits.
See above. If you ask a cult member if the cult has affected their mind, do you think they’ll agree?
I’m not saying this is a bad, or even avoidable, thing. I think it happens in many situations where we don’t even realize it. Schools for example, and even some workplaces. Don’t take my post to be hostile towards the military.
Glad to have played into your hand 
I’ve never done military service, but from what I’ve read, one of the conscious (and clearly necessary) purposes of basic training (which traditionally involves a lot of shouting, humiliation, and other things not obviously relevant to the acquisition of military skills) is to at least partly break down your personality and build it up again in a form more useful to the Army. The mind of a soldier is not the same as the mind of a civilian. Can’t be, if you expect the soldier to obey orders even when obedience means death.
I just wrote a two-paragraph response to your comment and realized it was completely off-topic. Let’s just say I disagree and leave it at that 