I have thought this for a while and one rant by a TV host sealed the deal. Bill Maher says many things which I find appalling but when he is right he sure shoots a hole in one- this video is titled about Mitt Romney but his point comes earlier at about 1:45
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW92RoJLTDgHe says outside of serving in the military, few of us do anything for our country. I think of the lessons I and so many others learned by serving and I think of the race issues in our nation today. I served in the Navy when the Civil Rights Act was passed, when integration was in full swing, when Dr. King was shot- and this did not cause any infighting between us whites and the blacks in our unit...why? -because the military is an environment where every one is equal no matter your race or background...George P. Bush had to clean the head if his company commander told him to- even if he is essentially American royalty and his company commander likely had no more then a high school diploma
The military is an institution of merit and you get out of it what you put in- it also makes young kids become adults very quickly. It teaches behaviors for a successful life- discipline, responsibility, fitness, respect, equality, etc. It forces servicemen and women to deal respectfully with problems and to be your brother's keeper- it also is the hardest thing an individual will likely ever have to do. Life after the military has had its challenges- raising children, becoming a widower, health problems, building a business, and more- but nothing compared to the rigors and the rewards of the military.
My proposal is this- mandatory two-year military service for EVERY United States citizen. Delinquent youths will be forced into a combat arms role- infantry, armor, artillery, surface warfare, etc- while the rest may compete for slots in intelligence or HR or PR or supply or finance- you name it. Any one with a severe disability would of course be excused, and more minor health issues would place the person into a support role. This structure would steer youths away from crime and the competition over the more comfortable roles would encourage academic achievement
Most importantly- it would train the young people of America to face problems like adults and end the sensationalism as Maher was discussing. Some of you have commented that I am a fairly easy-going fella- the reason is I know when things are worth getting riled up about. A 20 year old just out of the service will have the perspective to let things be when it is not worth fighting over. In addition- every citizen would have a base set of skills whether it be financial management or construction or simply physical fitness. Some would likely find their home in the military and remain an enlisted serviceman or attend an academy or a university to become an officer-
Many young people today have not faced true hardship- they grow up priveleged or coddled and so the Ten Commandments in a courthouse or a cartoon making fun of Jesus Christ riles them up to the point of jihad- just think of how the world would be if those who served were making decisions for our nation instead of those who dodged service. The sense of responsibility among veterans in the Baby Boomers is far greater then that of the five deferment pussies- and that is something tha tmust continue.
I believe sincerely that mandatory military service would- within a generation- solve the majority of our nation's problems...
I hope this can start a respectful and interesting discussion...
