Do you think that every American citizen should be required to serve in military once they reach 18?

Question

And if so, how long should they serve?

Answer 1

It's not a bad idea, but why not modify it to any public service?

Answer 2

Certainly many young people could benefit from a dose of military discipline, but I think making it mandatory would be a mistake.

Many other countries have this requirement, but they usually have smaller populations. America has a large and quite diverse population and the military wouldn't have the facilities to accommodate the quantity. Some people simply aren't suited to the military life, just as some people aren't suited for college or to be the American Idol.

Although many draftees have served our country honorably in past wars, our military has always been well-served by its volunteers. Many of my ancestors volunteered from the Revolution all the way through the Korean Conflict, but I know that I probably would not fit well in the military.

Answer 3

On the surface it's a wonderful Idea. It shows an individual that there is far more to life, rights and responsibilities, especially as an American. they would then see many different aspects to life and their role in it.
On the other hand there are people who are pacifists, and have the right not to belong to a military organization. For them I would require civil service of some type. Perhaps the Peace Corp, working at hospitals or hospitals. At least doing something for some other organization that allows an individual to understand that they aren't alone on this planet. It always does a person good to be involved with something larger then they are. Nothing bad will ever come from developing a since of accomplishment. Some people need the motivation that required services gives them. It's one way to learn they have power over themselves and can make a difference.

Answer 4

I think that every American needs to do something for the country. Most other nations in the world provide their citizenry with a choice of military service for 12 months OR civil service for 24 months. The "draftees" are paid a reduced wage, unless/until they go fully "active", and then they receive full pay and benefits. The civil service includes volunteer fire dept, meals on wheels, nursing home assistant, etc.

This is a GREAT idea, but it wouldn't work in America because America is a democracy. The people vote for our leadership, and the moment something like this got passed into law, the "leadership" would be voted out, and they don't want to lose that cushy job.

Answer 5

No, I do not think that required military service is a good idea. I served during the time when a LARGE portion of the military was made up of draftees. Many of them were undereducated and in terrible physical condition. It was easy to see then the sorry state of our armed services. Many units were close to mutiny, and in the war zone, the killing of officers and n.c.o.'s, by their own people was common.

I am beginning to think that military service should be one of the requirements for a citizen to earn the right to vote or hold elective office. Those who have put their lives at risk for this nation are more likely to have the interest of the nation at heart. Those who have not served are more likely to have self interest as their top priority. I'm not stating that as fact, just a thought. . . . .

Answer 6

No! Our military strength is based on the fact that it is a volunteer service. How would you send someone to war if they had not signed up for it themselves? Being "forced" or required to serve would undermine authority and security would become an issue. I would hate to know that the guy or girl taking the graveyard post is one that did not sign up voluntarily. What would they care about doing a good job.

Just my two cents!

Answer 7

That would be a huge change, that I do not support. What do we do with the people that don't want to be there? A better question is, where would we get that money to support those soldiers? The budget for Military personnel in the U.S is 105 Billion, and we only have 2.4 million personnel. And there is well over 50Million teenagers in this country.
If you wan't to give the U.S Military well over 10 trillion dollars, then I'll support that idea, if not. Then I would not.

Answer 8

I think EVERYONE should serve at least 2 years national service, not just in the military. You could learn a skill, help the nation and be compensated with education benefits when your service to the nation is completed.

Answer 9

this is not precisely what he reported. He helps a three month coaching for all individuals sometime between the a while of 18-25 (this ability after intense college or maybe 4 years of faculty) to pass by 3 months of coaching on the thank you to handle issues like Bio-unfavourable factors, organic failures, respond to Levee Breaches, Nuclear attack or oftentimes happening assaults, undemanding Civil protection, and community provider, and Evacuation tactics. this may well be particularly beneficial, take New Orleans as a recent occasion, how lots swifter and greater useful could the reaction to Katrina have been if each and every community citizen had the undemanding understanding of the thank you to start coping with the disaster formerly the national look after arrived? What concerning the advantages in direction of the toddlers in coaching them a stable artwork Ethic, self-discipline, and duty that for the period of this age of "helpful Snowflakes" is so generally lacking? it would desire to no longer observe to all even though it does to many. for my area i think of each and every healthful youthful grownup that would desire to qualify for militia provider be conscripted into the army under a clean branch (a Civil protection branch) for 2 years in substitute for 4 years of totally paid college training. this could pass away them staying Stateside, lead them to greater powerful electorate, instruct them duty and self-discipline, and instill a initiating for a stable artwork ethic. considering the fact that i comprehend many will disagree with that severe a level i detect Rahm Emanual's advice to be surprising.

Answer 10

Yes but only if they are qualified, for two years as reserves and they could be called CADETS or something like that. No benefits because they did not volunteer.
the ones that dont, should do some kind of public volunteer or get paid minimum wage for about 1 year. Like in Hospitals, Schools, Churchs (maybe)

Answer 11

I do believe that universal military service for young men and women would be beneficial. It would make politicians less likely to engage in foolish wars if their own children were as likely to face combat as the current very small number of Americans who serve. The nation was founded on the idea of citizen-soldiers, after all.

As for length of service, 18 months seems about right.