Should young offenders be sent to the army for discipline instead of prison?

jwayne1222

Our military is our last defense against terrorist and those that are against freedom. I believe we must have the best our country can offer in such roles of responsibility. I am greatly saddened each time I learn of another of our sons or daughters being lost in defense of our way of life. So, I can not support using our military as a punishment for young offenders, who have already shown bad judgment. In the military when you have to enter battle, you are taught to protect the man or woman next to you, in other words, the field of fire you establish is not toward those enemies in front of you, you will be firing at enemies in front of another soldier. This creates a cross-fire or "killing zone" that is more difficult for the enemy to penetrate. I would not be comfortable with my life depending on someone who has already shown they did not follow our laws, nor good commonsense.

I believe each case is unique and each punishment should be unique, and while I'm concerned about our justice system as established, I do not believe the military to be a decent replacement.

I spent 13 years, proudly serving with the United States Marine Corps. It was not a punishment, it was a privilege. The vast majority of our soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen would agree that they are proud of their service to our country.

gunplumber_462

No. The mission of the military is national defense. We don't need the distraction of rehabilitating kids with behavioral problems.

lymanspond

The army is not a day care facility, what youthful offenders need are two parents.....sorry the nanny-state (government) does not do a good job, by the time a youthful offender is sentenced for a crime, more than likely they have several more crimes under their belt...

these youthful offenders have had their whole lifetime to develop their "skills", eight to ten weeks in boot camp will not fix that...

Olan Black

No,

reasons:

the Army and all the military operate off of discipline. if you lack it, there is no middle ground, you will be punished.

people that break laws lack discipline, and to that point will not be able to do the fundamentals of the military. basically they will end up going to jail or getting kicked out.

Discipline is taught at home, and if a person grows up undisciplined, it takes lots of very intense training to get them to change the way they think.

A person with no discipline feels that it is ok to break into someones home because they are broke and have no money. it is something they are comfortable with, and that is anattitude that will take lots of intense training to change.

I often hear the argument or statement about sending all the murders and bad people to go fight, well, they would get killed, because they won't work as a team, they are selfish and self centered, and to operate in the military you have to have teamwork.

lconnor65

No that isn't fair. Why should we train people who can't function in everyday society. There is a reason the military is voluntary if they wanted to come in they had the opportunity.

Yggdrasil

No, the criminal justice system is the place for such people, not the military. The military is a place of honor. Prison is a place for offenders.

If your little heart bleeds for these youthful scumbags, I have a great idea...hire them as baby sitters for your kids. Don't flog their sorry butts off on the military.

City Cowgirl

NO!!

It costs the government so much money to train up a new recruit, when they could spend less leaving them to the judicial system.

And it's more than that. I personally would not want someone of a "questionable character" watching my back in a combat situation. If I can't trust them not to steal my gear, or not to shiv me, why would I trust them in combat?

What about the wives and husbands of serving members left at home, I bet they'd find it real comforting to know their partners are out there with convicted criminals.

Amy S

What many people fail to realize is that most youthful offenders are heavily involved in drug and alcohol use and/or gang-violence, and many of them have pretty severe mental health issues. The military is not the place to deal with most of those problems.

Our military is not a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth. To send them there would simply lower morale for those who volunteered for service out of a sense of duty, honor, and pride... which would be harmful to the military as a whole. See what the draft did to morale during VietNam? This would be no different.

Coasty

This worked well for many years. It was common practice up until the end of Vietnam war. Then due to the civilian population's attitude to the military it became to be considered cruel and unusual punishment. Also with the advent of the all volunteer military those who had really volunteered did not really want jail bunnies serving along side them.

I think now that it is time for a change back to the old ways.

wisemancumth

it depends on the crime. If the crime involved steeling then you wouldn't want them in your unit in case they take something you need to survive. If they had a history of physical violence that wouldn't be good either because fights could break out and the military needs unity.
I dont know what the rules are but I would hope the military would be used only for those accused for first time (minor) offences. Then allow the judge and the convict to agree.

Gem

Sigh, there are so many criminals here on post already..

ioerr

It's generally sold as some kind of rehabilitation bull crap.

It's really just a way for the rich to make somebody else fight their wars for them, so they won't have to send their own kids.

BIKER DUDE

Back in the 60's and 70's it was common practice for even young people charged with felonies to agree to the marines or army in return for dropped charges. They would even go in with no high school diploma and earn a GED in the service. The military raised their standards and eliminated this practice. I personally have no problem with it. Illegal aliens as well. I feel that they should be a given a choice or sent back. If they can do 3 honorable years in the military give them citizenship. Of course some of them are extreme criminals and the military doesn't want them. The answer is yes.

Epic Penguin

Actually, this is an excellent idea. If a young person has ever been to a military boot camp, they know how hard it is. And with the wars currently going on, the government has to draft bystanders trying to live life while this resource goes to rot in jail. Kudos to you for this ingenuis idea!

Chris D.

I agree with the comments posted here, but I believe that some Youthful Offenders deserve a second chance to the same opportunities as any other citizen that has not committed a crime. Well it also depends on the charges. I have been convicted of possession and intent to sell at the age of 18. It is something that I regret doing in my past and I am doing everything in my power because the Military is where I want to be. Being a Pilot Fighter for the Navy and making a career in NASA has always been my dream. Having these criminal charges will not stop me from reaching my goals. My mentallity has changed so much in the past 4years. Some offenders can change in every aspect after a tragic incident. It is something that shouldn't stop you from reaching your goals.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: