foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

All relatives of Senators and Representatives go first. AND NO BONE SPURS EXCUSES

CaptainBobBrown

But what if you have bone spurs?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Then get a office job " IN THE SERVICE" The discipline is what is needed

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Bone spurs can be surgically removed.

Stan

pendennis

In those days the surgery results were painful, potentially dangerous, and not always successful.

Just sayin'.

pendennis

One of the problems our country faces, is the lack of a direct threat. During the Great War and WWII, the threat was obvious and overt; since WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and the "Middle East", not so much. Intervention in those areas came mainly as a result of adventuresome Presidents interested in exporting democracy, nation-building, and perceiving threats from the USSR, China, Iraq, and Iran.

We ended up at war in Korea at a time where the threat wasn't existential, and war wasn't declared by Congress. Ditto every war since.

Today, few see the need for any type of conscriptive service. The people who served during WWII were largely conscripts, in favor of getting the job done, and getting back to civilian life. Viet Nam was another conscript war, but with an unfavorable political settlement. The taste of that debacle is still bitter to many.

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

IMO....

ANYONE, male or female or other should be required by law to spend at least two years
in public service. Civilian government, armed services, or anything to benefit society, as
long as they are mentally and physically capable.

redlegfrog

To add to you argument children are just not growing up. Blame it on what ever you want just don't ignore it.
A trip through bootcamp and a couple of years of service would make a hugh difference in the kids in the work place and / or collage.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

OK, I'll try not to get carried away. But one of the things that strikes my sense of optimism (which is often a bit deflated) is how completely opposite general or political views can still converge and agree on a very sensitive subject. JDG3 does a great job of stating why and how a draft could help our country. Because of and after my four years in the Army (1966-1970) I became an extreme anti-war advocate and was in favor of abolishing the draft--in part because of the inequities in how it was administered. However, I agree almost completely with JDG3's points about how and why we should reinstate a draft.

Now after years of experience with no draft and endless wars that hamstring our military and keep those wars out of the public eye for the most part I realize how important the draftees were to the national discussion about the need for military action. This does not make me a pacifist because I still believe we need a military but one that is basically "the mad dogs of war" that we can use when it is absolutely necessary. But then it should be war declared by congress or in response to a very real military threat. We should have to deal with diplomacy in all other cases.

cascoly Loc: seattle

first, the military says a volunteer army better fits their needs

i'm in favor of compulsory national service, with a choice of fulfillment; however, we don't need to require that for basic rights such as voting, etc (and if it's required would be moot anyway)

instead, I would continue benefits such as GI bill for college,home loans, VA benefits, etc. for military only. I was a CO during the Vietnam era and did my alternate service, but would never compare that with those who served in the military.

another inducement would be to have teachers, doctors,lawyers et al work in underserved areas after college in return for some reduction in loans

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The military draft is one of those rights of passage that our society sorely needs. It gives that sense of belonging that humans need where all young males share the same rituals and experiences. The only reason it was abolished was to be able to justify unjust wars, in my opinion. It’s easier to throw volunteers into battle and it’s easier for the privileged to avoid battle along with all the other non-volunteers.

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

I have read through all the comments here and agree in principle that everyone should serve either in the military or some other service to the country. I recently watched an interview with General Mattis and the question of conscription came up. He said he was against it because he only wants people who want to serve to be in his military. Interesting thought. I'm not sure what that says about us as a people -- especially todays youth -- would they serve honorably? What bothers me about the all-volunteer force is that it is starting to look like a mercenary force. Does it mean that our military is gravitating toward folks who simply want to fight and will do so anywhere? I hope not, and as far as I can tell, our current military are patriots and that's the way I want it to stay; volunteer or not.

As to non-military service to the country, such as the CCC, just considering the logistics of doing this seems overwhelming. Moreover, private industry would complain bitterly about being pushed out of business by such an initiative -- they can do whatever is needed and create jobs in the process. Lastly, it seems to me that the state of the country is in such a mood of distrust that the idea of universal service would be dead on arrival. Pride in country seems to be an anachronism.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Maybe, just maybe, it is time for humans to come to their senses and realize the TOTAL waste of resources and $$$'s spent on various military undertakings. Funds would be much better spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc.

However, humans have been killing each other since time immemorial so I guess we're stuck in this rut until we do each other in!?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I don't know if it is the same today but, in Switzerland every male had to spend a year in the military, and kept a rifle at home for manny years or life.

I believe the military made me a better person.