Maxx, my family is military and politically connected, but I would not dare think of doing the paperwork without a lawyer. Those guys got lucky, even guys on duty or retired face challenges. More so the guys on duty, when I was in Korea, lots of guys were dating "locals" and a few got married or engaged, only one was able to bring her back to the states. It's not so clean cut as your painting. It's possible with the ties my family has, I could do it without the lawyer, but I plan to use a law firm that specializes in military and veterans for their family immigration needs. That is of course, if I should find it necessary, considering what happened after I returned from my trip.
The guy that was the supply clerk, yeah, he's used to filling out crap tons of paperwork, I know, dad was in the division supply office when I was a kid.
As for the expenses associated with having a wife from another country come over here, guys, come on, that's a fact of marriage, no matter how you slice it. To go from single to married will change your cash flows and anyone who is not willing to accept that shouldn't be dating anyone in any country.