Mandatory national service = citizenship? Your thoughts?

[mckitterick]

Re: this:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=5834001&content_dir=ua_congressorg

and this:
http://snopes.com/politics/military/draft.asp

Y'know, I would have no problem with requiring two years of national service right after high school of anyone who wishes to be an American citizen. Remember Heinlein? Sorta like that. But I disagree with Heinlein and others that it must be military service. In fact, that would counter the notion that this is good for America, because people would be force to do something they might be morally opposed to and cause protests.

However, most people (yes, most) right outta high school (or new to the country and seeking citizenship) ought to spend some time doing good for their country. Two years of paid volunteerism, seeing how the bottom half lives while becoming part of the country and learning who they are: That seems like a good idea.

If this resolution spelled out that the individual could pick their path (community projects, working with the homeless, cleaning up industrial spills, you name it), then I would support it! Honestly, how many kids are ready for college at 17 or 18? But I, for one, would have fought being forced into the military; heck, I would have bitched about having to do other service, but then kids of that age bitch just on principle.

How about you? Would you support mandatory national service where the hopeful citizen would be able to choose their path? A true rite of passage to citizenship. I predict it would increase the percentage of voters, too.

Chris

Comments

Voluntary militia vs. Conscription

[http://users.livejournal.com/kai_/]

I think one problem inherent with a strictly Voluntary Militia is that a certain kind of person volunteers for military duty.

For instance, the atrocities we're seeing now may have been mediated by the run-of-the-mill soldier who has been drafted/forced to serve in said militia. Perhaps someone would have raised questions earlier. Perhaps there would have been more soldiers who would have been appalled at what was happening, and refused to participate. (And clearly there were some soldiers who did exactly that, but frankly, not enough IMO.)

Furthermore, I think "forced" military service creates a more active constituent population, as well as more combat-trained citizens, ready to defend the homeland at times of war. I believe that this is one reason that Switzerland has been able to ward off foreign occupying forces.

I'm all for a "draft" which would require all citizens (excluding those who are physically or mentally disabled) to serve the country in some way. And frankly, I think that citizen should have a relatively compelling reason to /not/ have to serve in the armed forces. In lieu of such armed service, civil service seems quite appropriate. Perhaps this kind of forced service would improve our communities, and make better citizens. I think nothing would be so sobering as having to be required by law to go through boot camp and learn how to kill. But picking up trash alongside roadways can be equally unpleasant, so they both seem like a fitting choice.

Just my thoughts.