Should we all serve in the military?

Question

At the legal age of 18 everyone would serve two years then would be required to serve two weeks every year until 60 years of age. Unless you were medically disabled or suffered a severe handicap you would not have to serve. Just a thought and you can add to it or make changes. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. This isn't a master plan by any means, just a thought.

I'm learning a lot from the answers and I agree that not everyone should serve in the military per se but if everyone would help in some way I think we would be a better society.

Answer 1

Absolutely not!!!

I did my time in the service. Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope.

I would die before I allowed my children to volunteer or be forced into military service and fight - possibly die - on the whim of some profit hungry president like Bush.

The troops who are dying every day aren't doing it for honor or glory. And they are not dying in defense of the United States.

Answer 2

I'm going to have to say no to this like a few others did as well. Not every one is cut out for miltary service due to health and mental problems. Some people just don't have the type of mindset that's required to constanly be told what to do. I'm a officer and even I have to answer to someone else. But, I think a lot of people could benifit from some form of military service so that they can learn pride, responsibility and a lot of other things that come along with military service. I do know that in Israel, every one (men and women) is required to serve 2 years.

Answer 3

It's a good point that not everyone's cut out to serve in the military. But from the perspective, of a Vet. I can say that I'd be wary about fighting beside a conscripted soldier. Many draftees become outstanding soldiers and good examples of what's great about America.
Even in peacetime service, a conscripted soldier is more likely to be a detriment to his unit, as he's more likely to be bitter about being there in the first place. It's all in the attitude. Most conscript armys like China, and USSR were second rate because of the quality of their soldiers. They opted for numbers, and forced their citizenry into service. Places like Germany have a more healthy approach. They require either 2 years of military service, or 2 years in an approbed public service role.

Answer 4

I was in ROTC in college for 2 years and I think that this experience has really helped me out later in life. It gave me a lot of valuable training that I call on daily now. I think that mandatory service would be a great benefit to our society in general but it would be a major loss to our military. An all volunteer military that is small and professional is much more efficient than a huge conscript army. Quality does matter as does motivation. We have the best military in the world right now and that is due to the quality of training you can give to a smaller professional force rather just training cannon fodder which is what you would have with a conscript army. The armies of the past that excelled were always more organized and better trained than their peers. These armies were also better able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Answer 5

I like your thinking. I have an idea for what I call a 'volunteer draft'. You would be selected to serve in the military just like a draft. The difference is that if you didn't want to serve your country you would simply sign an 'opt out' document saying that you don't want to serve and you would be exempt. However, there would have to be a small penalty such as paying a little more in taxes.
I believe that it is an honor to serve your country in the armed forces and people that are forced to serve may not make the best soldiers. My thought is that most people would serve in this 'volunteer draft' even though they had no desire to enlist. Most people are patriotic and would not sign the 'opt out' document and the military would be better off without those who would sign it.

Answer 6

After high school, at the legal age of 18, everyone should be required to serve in some service to country or community. It doesn't have to be the military per se, but any kind of service that would benefit our society.

Answer 7

It would take far too much money if everyone had to do that. Also it meant that every year for 2 weeks everyone has to put their lives on hold. I think it would better to put petty criminals in the military. In britain at the moment we seem to be having a wave of unsocial behaviour, i think by putting these people into the military it will give them focus and a possible career path, as well as skills they can use in other areas.

Answer 8

I could go along with JeEpDrIvEr's advice....
"Maybe everyone needs to just pass basic training, this would ensure physical fitness and the basic knowledge if they were needed later in life???"

I'm in full support of the Military. I'm married to a marine. I also think thou if we did it your way (having to serve 2 years & 2 weeks every year till your 60) then they would have to change this> > LAND OF THE FREE. We aint' free if we're told what to do. Also, we couldn't choose our own carreer paths. What if we wanted to be a Dr. or a stay at home mom?

Answer 9

A lot of countries do this. In fact, the Swiss, normally thought of as peace-loving, have compulsory service very similar to your plan.

This sort of service is seen as a way for each person to step up and do something for their community. It actually can be linked to countries with lower crime rates because everyone develops a stronger feeling of unity and patriotism through service.

Compulsory service also serves to bring the classes together because it inter-mixes all races and economic backgrounds.

Overall, I'd say it's a reasonable idea, but I don't think there's any chance of it happening in the United States. With no slams at any particular political ideology, can you imagine -any- politician forcing their children to participate in two years of service? Not going to happen.

Answer 10

I served in the United States Navy. I feel that it was a very positive experience in my life. Though I have been out for a great many years, the lessons I learned still shape my opinions. I feel many could benefit from the military experience. However, I do not believe that everyone is suited for military life, and as such do not believe in forced conscription. This is not to say that in time of dire national need that we should not have a draft. I do beleive unquestioningly that if you call yourself an American, you should be ready to defend your country, as well as your freedoms. Anything worth having in life is worth fighting for when it is in jeopardy.