I have 8 years probation for 2nd degree burglary of habitation, but is willing to join any military branch instead of doing probation

No branch of any military will let you join if you are an offender and still on probation. There is no trade off, you did the crime, you do the time.

Tick

What may have happened in the days of old, maybe 30 or more years ago, does not happen now,

They don't really want you at all with a criminal record, and for sure not while you are still on probation. So no there is no "trade off"

You will have a hard time trying to convince a judge to eliminate your current probation in order for you to join the military. I've heard stories of individuals in the past who have joined the military in order to avoid probation or jail time but these stories occurred a very VERY long time ago. If you attempted to join the military now you would have to appeal to get OFF probation and even if you were successful at doing that it would be extremely difficult trying to get a waiver for your specific offense signed off for you to join. The military has strict standards and policies on what offenses are allowable with a qualified waiver.