Would bringing back National Service be a good thing?

Question

I see this question has been asked before but after hearing that a pensioner was robbed by a group of teenagers and a 5 year old child,I realy believe that something should be done to teach the youth of today a little respect.

This is a UK question.
Suggestions from other countries about how it helps/or not, are however welcome.

I served in the Royal Navy and would not of wanted to work with people that were not volunteers but there could be a place for "non volunteers" in non combat roles.

Good answer Fog horn but if someone is going to uni then they could be excused until they are finished.A least they could repay their loans

Answer 1

It would be a good thing. What youth lack today is focus. Since Thatcher, the values of society have all revolved around money and possessions, and if you are brought up by disadvantaged parents on a sink estate in Liverpool, you've got little chance of achieving riches, other than by nicking things.

Military service teaches co-operation. It removes the 'me first' syndrome, because one cannot survive in such a disciplined environment without the support of one's peers, and, if you take, and do not give, you will soon be left to get on with things yourself, and, consequently, be frequently in the merde. If you don't muck in and co-operate, your life will be hell.

If you can hack 2 years of military service, you will come out with all your faculties enabled. You will be fit, disciplined, socialised and free from vampiristic tendencies to sit on your **** on benefits. You will have been compelled to focus on issues other than those that totally relate to your own comfort. You will have been educated, may have learned a trade, and you will have learned the basic skills of cooking, cleaning and mending that wil enable you to make out in the world.

Alternatively, you can lurk on street corners in hoods, saying 'ick', and be of no use to anyone, including yourself. If all you aim at is to be scum, then that is what you will be, and scum can only elevate itself to longer periods in prison. Not much of a pro
spect, is it?

Finally, three points.

1. National Service will need to be for males and females.All will have to do it at age 18 - no exemptions for 'gap years' and University-bound students. What potential students get paid whilst doing their Service will pay for their further education, and will thus obviate all the moans about student loans. No National Service - no University.

2. There should be no automatic selection for Officer status because of privilege. Etonians start in the same mess/barrack room as the inhabitants of the dodgier areas of Salford.

3. National Service would transform society in ten years. It is the quickest way of pulling this nation from its continuing decline in manners, grit, honesty, responsibility and integrity.

Bring it on, pronto.

Answer 2

This is a spot on question and the answer has to be yes. Not withstanding the understandable comment from the Marine. I do understand the MC would not want conscripts.

Here is my idea: Every person of draft age could elect how to serve:

- Community service (aid the poor, building infrastructure, etc)
- Homeland security
- Military

Of course if the military could fill all its needs with volunteers then there would be fewer slots there.

By serving each person would accrue some sort of lifetime benefit commensurate with his/her sacrifice. By that I mean, a person who does two years of community service would get a small benefit perhaps reduced interest rate on a student loan. Someone who sees combat might get a tax break for life.

Why do this? Because we need to get people INVOLVED in our country. We have too many observers and not enough participants. Youth has a very low voting percentage and many people are too self engrossed to really get active in politics.

I'm glad to see many share my views in general. How can we get this off the ground. Email me.

Answer 3

Compulsory National service no. But I think that being sent into the forces should be used as an option instead of going to prison for some offenders.
Ie
Persistant petty theft
Burglary / mugging etc on a 3 strikes and your in basis.
If the offender is under 16 when he / she commits these offences then on their 16th birthday an army bus pulls up outside their house and takes them away to boot camp.
It should also become compulsory for those who refuse to work.
Ie if a fit healthy man or woman between the ages of 16 to 30 is not in full time employment or education for 6 months or more then they should be enlisted into the forces rather than be allowed to sit on their @rse waiting for the Giro to come.
Bingo. Thugs are taken from the streets and taught respectand become soldiers (in the 50s a lot of the best officers were Borstal boys) OR become too afraid of the consequences of being thugs and start behaving themselves.
Workshy layabouts get 6 months to find a job, That is plenty time. If they cant manage that they too are taken and made to pay their way.
Less crime and fewer dossers taking the p1ss on the dole. Sounds good to me

Answer 4

Yes it would e tremendous idea, but in moderation. For example if the kid left school at 16 and never had a job, college, or uni to go to, he/she should be enlisted for a minimum of 4 years. This would also be an advantage to the kids as they would gain experience in life, and most could probably get a trade qualification, helping them for when or if they decide to leave. This would help reduce crime rates, and also teach the younger generation some discipline and respect.

Answer 5

I lived in Singapore for a while where they still do National Service. Talking to the guys that did it, they really enjoyed it. They made friends for life, got fit & got to grow up a bit so that once they started uni they were on a similar maturity level as the girls (sorry guys, it is true that girls in general mature before boys).

I think there would be a fear here though that they might actually be called up to serve for their country & I'm guessing that the majority of people would not actually want to be involved in any war.

Answer 6

It would do no good whatsoever.
Twenty years ago yes it would have but its too late now.What with mothers complaining to the army that the sergeant shouted at their bay and the sergeant dragged over the coals and all the human rights crap coming out of Brussels it would be a farce.The army is already overstretched and cant spare men to babysit the modern generation.

Answer 7

Yes - I think that it needs to be brought back. It would give kids a sense of belonging, identity and discipline. It would improve fitness and in some cases, make up for a lack of interest / family life.

I would also suggest a twist to it. If a young person was convicted of an offence BEFORE they went in (Joyriding, theft, violence etc) it would ADD time to their service time. This would mean that they knew right form the start there would be a consequence to their actions.

None of this "I can get caught at least twice BEFORE I get a record"

Answer 8

It would be a damn good thing for the young people of today to have some discipline and learn respect for others, and to do some thing good with their life for a change. When this country had National Service before, students were allowed to do their course before they were called up. I cannot see why 18 year old girls can't be called up either to learn discipline and respect. which is sadly lacking with a lot of them today.

Answer 9

Not unless we can turn the clock back 50 years with the same brutality we had back then.....
Forcing our youth into the Armed services would be a total liability we would end up with a undisciplined rabble to busy smokin weed to care about what's happening around them.....Basically last US draft Vietnam...

Answer 10

It is a little late. But i agree, they should bring it back. Id do it (as long as i could be an officer)

The should have a chav regiment. Going in as the first wave and clearing mine fields by driving the vauxhall novas across them. And they have to wear a burberry uniform. So the bad guys can hit them easier.