National Service?

Yah-Who?

well if the figures are down, people obviously do not want to join it. lol, so you would rather force people into the army?
I would rather go to jail than serve in the army. Not because i "dislike" my country - because of the Principe of being forced to fight and probably kill someone, or worse me get killed lol - I don't think so!
so really I'm looking for two words - Eh Na.

I also do not believe in the force of an army in most situations - so I could probably get away with it by being a C/O.
(obviously if I saw no other option than war, then I would fight)
But to bring back National Service just because the numbers are down is not a good idea. numbers are down in the coal industry and ship building industry - lets conscript there - obviously an extreme example for certain reasons, but the same point is being made - the army is obviously becoming an out dated concept in the Western world in the 21C.

Robert C

NO! I am retired military and I would not EVER want the military to go back to a draft. As it is we have a very professional voluntary military, I wouldn't want people going in that don't believe in what they are doing. A person that is drafted can disrupt the morale of a unit. We just don't need it!

Swampy_Bogtrotter

Yes.
It would help to sort out a lot of the problems present in this country today.

jenkin1950

Well, I just don't think that men and women would do it nowadays. The son of friends of mine was born in Paris, and because of that he was called up at the age of 18 to go into the French Army (although he had been living in UK since he was about 2). He refused, and eventually his refusal was accepted. So I don't know. I'm an older bloke now but many younger people I know would not dream of doing National Service. Why should they spend 2 years of their life doing something they don't want to do? This is the ME society. My grandfather and father did it, but society has changed so much, young people just laugh at the idea. Sorry to tell you that, but it is true, and I talk to a lot of young people.

marcus 34

its a bad idear try pay them a bit more for start.
and for national service you would get some right muppets in the army

SGT Meg

I think it would be great for the youth of this country. I am not old, 26, but I've learned more about dedication, duty, respect and maturity in my time in the military then in all the rest of my life combined. I recently got back from Iraq and looking around the malls and out in the world kids these days seem so clueless and irresponsible. I think them actually having to be uncomfortable and do something for their country would do great things to these young adults that will grow into the next adults of this country.

Geoff S

No, with the kids today, they would not put up with it thank God. Gone are the days when you could force people to join the Armed Forces. I was a British Para for fifteen years from choice but if anybody had told me I had to join I would soon have told them what to do with their National Service. The kids today, "God bless them" have their own conscience and will not hand it over to any government.

Piltdown Man

Israel would love that,bearing in mind that Israel uses American forces to fight for Israel.

furrryyy

Maybe, but the Army has something else in its sleeve, check this out. http://www.radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2007/05/gangs_of_iraq_1.php

nosdda

Definitely yes, it is the making of men.

kevina p

Hi, No i don't think it should be brought back, it should stay as it is a choice to join the forces. With society being as it is today so many of our younger generation would object to being told they have to "join" up. And a lot of people just are not interested in the services. My ex is a high ranking officer, my son wont have anything to do with the forces because that is what caused the problems at home, not the forces itself but his dad had an affair,and is now living with another member of the services. Also i would not like my son to have to got and fight in Foreign places when i would know he would not like to be there.

briang731/ bvincent

It certainly could be time to restart the draft. On the other hand. I believe we have an opportunity to dangle the citizenship carrot to 12 million illegals in the US.

Offer full citizenship to any illegal immigrant who completes four years of military service, honorably ! It makes sense to me !

AniMeyhem!

No, but retaining experienced people would be a lot easier if the pay were equitable to the work...

BTW, the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force have all met their recruitment goals through FY 07 2nd QTR. The Air Force actually exceeded their recruitment goals.

Bristol_Gal

It should have be bought back years ago
.

Pommie girl

Yep, I agree it should be brought back. Here's why - I really think that teenagers today need a sense of community, rather than putting themselves first continually.
In the Army, if one person makes a mistake, the whole platoon suffer for it. It's a good lesson in life to see how your consequences effect others. Furthermore, having to work together as a team is an important life skill.
Many crimes are committed thorugh boredom - at least if they did National Service, they would have a puropse in life and the opportunity to use new skills. (And, no, I don't mean shooting people- I mean other trades within the Army)
Lastly, respect for others and for yourself is so important - just the physical training may improve health.
I think that's a pretty good case!

chappye7

Retention and recruiting figures are up the last two quarters. I don't know where you got your info but I can assure it is not correct.

papuman2000

You must think that people are really that stupid to want to go to Iraq and Afghanistan to get blown to bits for a government that has been S.H.I.T.T.I.N.G. on everyone since day one. If they give me a gun and tell me to kill the enemy George Bush, Blair and the rest of the neo-cons better start running. I want the planet back what they've stolen. Yes bring it back under threat of death.

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