Should the United States have every young person serve two years of military service?

Answer 1

No, I think the military is better off as an all volunteer military.

Answer 2

I believe that universal military service would have some benefits. I saw a few of the other answers abou how military service would take away freedom and how nobody would want the youth of today defending the country, and I disagree with both. Countries that have universal military service seem to tend towards a greater sense of national pride and unity. While I am opposed to the current military action (I feel it serves no purpose), I am in no means against the military. I'd love to see universal service, backed by an education initiative that sends greater numbers of our enlisted men and women on to higher education. I'd like to see kids with little or no ties to the greater community serve that community. I don't think that you ever truly appreciate what you have until you have had to work for it. I don't think most of our youth really appreciate what a blessing it is to be an American citizen. I think our energy needs to be focused back on the USA and how we are going to progress from the place where we are to a better place. There is no better way to do that than to require an investment of time and service from all of our citizens.

Answer 3

No. I personally support the military (strongly) and in a little more than a year may join, when I am able. The reason every person should not serve 2 years is because of two reasons:
1. Then the people who are unwillingly brought to the military, are not fighting for their beliefs and moral, but rather almost become a mercenary.
2. Our military, despite popular media reports, does very well. The brave Americans (and our allies) who voluntarily enlist, allow the rest of us to sleep well at night.

Answer 4

Personally, it saved me! Marginal student in hs, ugly family life and NOT a clue what to do after hs except spend the rest of my life in the produce section of the market.

The Navy was the first time in my life that I was allowed to excel and it felt GOOD! I learned a skill, learned leadership, performance under stress and a TON of other skills.

In my career in electronics, I have traveled the world on full expense and been a corporate president. In short, it worked for me.

I also think that it would be a good thing for many young people today. NOT necessarily combat, but the discipline, regimentation and accountability for one's actions. It simply teaches self-reliance and the responsibilities of being part of a TEAM. Having the opportunity to teach and lead people is the GREATEST REWARD when they too EXCEL.

SERVICE might be a real awakening to many of the young people that have lived a life of induldgence, participation awards and entitlement.

It really is a NICE feeling to realize that what you accomplished is because of YOUR EFFORTS.

You go in as a boy / girl and come o0ut a man / woman; many people don't figure that out until they are in their 30's and some NEVER.

USN 1964

Answer 5

There are many that argue that compulsory service makes people better citizens, that it teaches them to get along with other people and to adapt. But I don't think the military really wants everyone, since they then have to tame a lot of wild people (many people do not adapt well to military life). I think it is a noble idea to serve one's country, but think it's better to have volunteers. Maybe if there were enough alternative service opportunities (with similar compensation) then it might work and would be a good idea.

Answer 6

As much as I hate the idea of a draft--I saw my family & friends drafted into Viet Nam--we are not going to have a military left to fight anyone, anywhere if we don't do something soon. Our soldiers are tired and weary and worn out. Now we have the threat of Iran invading Iraq, and who knows who/what else looms. I know that most nations require the two years of military service, and it may have to come to fruition here because we have no back up military in the case of an emergency.

Answer 7

properly first, drafting squaddies is now in basic terms allowed in cases of conflict by our usa, and the final 2 expert wars that our usa has been in in the final one hundred years substitute into WWI and WWII, so in those situations, it incredibly is my own opinion that mandatory serving in the defense force is thoroughly suitable. on the different hand, it incredibly is neither WWI or WWII and we've inarguably, at present the ultimate defense force in the international. merely look on the Seven Day conflict that Israel had with something of the middle East, our defense force help ended that incredibly promptly, so i've got faith that mandatory serving in the U. S. defense force is redundant in cases of peace. additionally. in the statement of Independence, which contained lots of the suggestions that still govern our usa, that each physique adult adult males are entitled to existence, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, and mandatorily serving in the defense force may be a violation to the human beings's authentic of existence and liberty.

Answer 8

Absolutely!!!! Much of today's youth do not understand or appreciate what it is like to live in the "real world" I'm sorry-but when our top news stories consist of Paris Hilton's dog's newest outfit when there is a war going on (yes, we are still at war!) That is when we need to reevaluate our country's priorities!! A few years learning some hard lessons wouldn't be such a bad thing to start one's adult life out right!!!!

Answer 9

I belive that it would do us as a nation much good, if there was a manditory 2 years of service, but not only the military. 2 years of goverment service be it military, or many other jobs say maybe job corps or peace corps etc etc. The military does provide many more job/life skills than just kiling things.. I would think the disipline taught would help everyone as a whole.. also make a modified version of the gi bill so that it would help make college more affordable upon exit.

Answer 10

No, if every young person were to serve in the military then all of deaths for America's freedom would be in vain.