A lot of other countries require compulsory military service for two years. What do you think of doing something similar here, EXCEPT--and this is a big except--people can either choose the military or an international or domestic service program. Both options provide housing, food, an income, and a ranking system whereby the person can improve his/her status and income (like the military) in exchange for the two years' service. I think this would be a good way to teach people responsibility and ownership of their actions.
Everyone would do this, male and female, and two years would take place immediately following high school or GED. Those who wanted to go to college first could do so, but they would be required to fulfill their two years when they graduated (for example, a med school graduate could do his two years as a government doctor, and would be paid government doctor rates, but would have to go where there is need, just like "non college" participants.
Suggestions?
2006-11-03 07:11:26 · 6 answers · asked by sarcastro1976 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The most qualified for the military (physical and mental/emotional) would be accepted first into the military. Current standards would be used.
2006-11-03 07:27:54 · update #1
"Service program" jobs could range from government doctors and lawyers to farm workers or other unskilled positions, depending on the person's knowledge, skills, and abilities.
2006-11-03 07:30:10 · update #2
"Service" options would also include things like building houses for Katrina victims, working at homeless shelters, doing administrative work for nonprofit agencies, etc.
2006-11-03 07:32:00 · update #3
Regarding the "straight A student"...that's sort of the point. Everyone has a responsibility to serve his or her country, not just "screw-ups." I understand the idea probably won't fly with people who like the status quo, but life is going to be terrible for a lot of people if we do nothing to improve society from the ground up. Living in a high-achieving, straight-A world without understanding how one fits into the real world and helping others to improve is irresponsible, in my opinion.
2006-11-03 08:22:12 · update #4
We had something along those lines when Selective Service was geared up for Vietnam. There were too many people, however, so a lottery was established. Consider the numbers for the US, between ages of 15-64 there are 100 million males, narrowing that by the Census Bureau, there are about 21 million Americans between 20-24, of which there are just shy of 11 million males.
That's one awful big army. Sorry, but we don't need it and the rest of the world wouldn't stand for it. Thanks for thinking though, because the military service during WWI and WWII was one of the great standardizing forces in American education and culture at the time.
2006-11-03 07:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by Rabbit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that's bordering on an "ism". Teach people responsibility for their actions? Is this the government's responsibility? And after high school isn't that a little late in the game to be teaching responsibility? That's kind of a sweeping generalization when the majority of the population doesn't need big brother standing over their shoulder and guiding their career and life choices. It would be a huuuuuge undertaking to govern such a program and would send gov't spending thru the roof. It sounds like a good program if you're a screw-up but in the land of opportunity people could do much better on their own without being required to jump thru hoops to satisfy bureaucratic requirements. Why should the straight A student have to go the same course as the delinquent? Kinda puts a damper on personal achievement, doesn't it?
2006-11-03 07:44:52 · answer #2 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-01 06:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know, that sounds like a great idea since the youth today lack responsibility in general. I have one teen that is responsible and one that is not and would not have a problem with that -except- my babies moving all over? Yikes! However, there are so many leeches in society that it would be a wonderful solution.
I vote for you for president!
2006-11-03 07:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by bellgoddess1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm to old to sign up but "Where do i sign up", I for one would welcome such a deal in Canada
2006-11-03 07:16:32 · answer #5 · answered by rpm53 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it sucks
2006-11-03 07:34:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋