Being that many high school graduates really are not mature enough to meet the rigors of higher education, and oftentimes go to college for several reasons: (1) to escape their parents, (2) their parents said go to school or the military, but you are not mooching off of us for years, or (3) they are adjudicated by the courts, (4) the individual wants to delay taking responsibilty for his/her life.
2006-07-26 05:24:35 · 6 answers · asked by ? 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
It used to be that way, except for women, who had to enlist. It was considered a patriotic duty and was a sort of rite of passage.
And the armed forces are having recruitment problems. They need personnel badly. Further, we will require a lot of troops as time wears on, as the world is getting more and more chaotic and dangerous.
So it is not so much what a military training period can do for teens, it's what teens can do for the country.
And it spreads the burden out over a wider demographic, not always just deadbeats, the "troubled," the poor, the disfavored ethnic groups, the bloodthirsty, the patriotism-crazed. When everybody goes through the military, it creates a population of persons each of whom has a life experience in common with others. And that gives a better military and a more cohesive society.
And if every one has somebody in the military, politicians will think a wee bit more carefully before committing the sons and daughters of Americans to a deadly conflict.
2006-07-26 05:43:39 · answer #1 · answered by sonyack 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it's a choice that is going to be different in every family. Some people mature quicker than others and want to go straight to college so they can fulfill their dreams. Some need a little more time but I wouldn't say the military has to be an alternative. Young people can work and prepare for college. They will have some money saved up and will be more prepared for the real world after graduating colleges.
2006-07-26 05:58:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US doesn't have the revenue to support a military with over a million soldiers. As it is now, the defense budget makes up nearly half of the yearly US budget. If the US were to require every 18-year old to join the military that budget would balloon to astronomical proportions and would likely destroy our economy, at the very least push us into a recession.
There's a reason why Reagan pushed for the Base Realignment and Closures Act. He realized that the size of our military in the 80's was unnecessarily large and consuming a significant amount of our yearly budget. Even today, our military is much larger than it needs to be. If it weren't, we wouldn't be going through another round of BRAC closings today.
2006-07-26 05:36:58 · answer #3 · answered by Kookiemon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some go to college to learn and prepare for future careers too you know.
no it should not be compulsory. I wouldn't survive 30 seconds in the military but that does not mean I wouldn't be a good lawyer (who needs to go to college). Maybe some people would benefit from a short time in the military, but not ALL 18 year olds!! That would be a dictatorship. It would also put people off going to college.
2006-07-26 05:41:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be great for them to get some maturity and responsibilty this way, but its just not possible. The sheer number of 18 year olds would overwhelm the military, its not equipped to hande that many people.
2006-07-26 05:28:55 · answer #5 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do not imagine so. the military isn't for each man or woman and there are quite some different strategies to mature. I went to varsity so as that i ought to pursue my pastimes and change them right into a possible career which I had going by age 23. no longer for any of the excuses you listed.
2016-10-15 05:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋