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

Jessy

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

Colonel

I think every abled body 18 year old should have to do 2 years of Government work. This can be Military, Hospital etc... This will help mature them and can provide additional opportunities. This can also be a way for them to get money for college etc.

Thor Girl

Nope the US military is in no way prepared to house and feed that many. We want people that want to be here, it is not a summer camp.

Angelo A

If it was necessity then I would agree otherwise no it is not a good idea. As for how long it should be 2 years not a day longer unless we are at war.

John H

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. . . . .

margarita

No, because not everyone meets the criteria.

little mama

I don't. In this country we are pretty much free to do what we please and that's the way it should stay.
I also don't agree with some of the other posters that think you should have to do some form of community type wok. There are some people that are just not cut out for that type of thing and they shouldn't be forced to do it. We are a free society afterall and forcing someone into a type of job is taking away that freedom.

Noone i

Absolutely. The commitment instills pride and a feeling of contribution to our country. It also knocks the snotty attitude right out of you and our country needs the rotten attitude smacked out of it, fast.

Nothing in life is free, I served, you can too. Enlist before the draft is put into place.

squashman

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.

My world

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.

wazzab_12

No. You can't democraticly force people to kill other people. I like some of the other ideas for national service in other areas. However they should not be forced to do it when they turn 18 but be given a choice sya 18-30yo

ARMY Babe

No, because they won't try work as a team if they ever come to danger. Less training and worse training would put everyone in danger. More tax money would have to be spent. Knowing fellow citizens, they hate the taxes we have already.

AmyU

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.

Karen

NO! It should be a choice.

peter s

I think only 81 y/o should. Or maybe 51 and above.
Young people should be making babies not war.

D.O...

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.

nina3311

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)

Think Dodger Blue

Nope it's fine the way it is

That means if everyone was required to serve who would we have to go to college?

Love YHWH with all of oneself

I don't know that it would be necessary. We aren't under attack constantly in all locations, unlike Israel, which has the all citizens in the military policy.

paki

yes, 4 years, anything shorter than that is waste of time for training

Joanie

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.

dvd

hell no!! i hate america and i am not risking my life over foolishness. because your persident dont know what to do in office.

tallerfella

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.

e.sillery

Everyone should be required to make some kind of contribution to their country. Everyone should also be required to visit another country, too see just how well they do have it. Maybe less people would take their situation for granted.

A Different Name

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!

jake

No,they should have a choice.
i think just how it is now having to volunteer is fine.

his woman giggling

No, not every American is stable enough to serve. What about the disabled? You say EVERY, that would include those that are mentally and physically disabled.

Aegis of Freedom

No. I think our country would be a far better place if everyone served. However, I believe in freedom above all else. Forcing somebody to serve against their will is wrong, even if it is for good intentions. Choosing to serve is noble, being forced to serve is oppression.

Trac2100

You'de have a pretty big army... No I don't think so

firefly

No I do not think mandatory service should be required.

ninjiapeace

No i dont think mandatory service should be required because we are already in debt and it cost to have people in the military and we need to pay them somehow and we also need to pay back all the countries that we barrowed money from so it wont work america will die before we can even get america back on its feet.

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