Should everyone serve a minimum of 2 yrs in the Armed Forces right out of High School?

2021-04-25T23:39:00-04:00

I have always said that the United States should require ALL persons serve 1 term (2 years) in the Armed Forces, Peace Corp, Ameri Corp, etc, (EXCEPT the reserves) straight out of High School. Not to become a military state but to build character and self-esteem. They would only be required to serve stateside (but can volunteer to go oversees).
I believe it would solve many issues. At the very least, I believe it will solve entitlement and (hopefully) significantly reduce racism.
Do you think this would be good for our society as a whole?
Or if you believe it would be detrimental to it, why?

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 12:41 AM

2021-04-26T00:41:20-04:00

No. While I understand the idea, the very thought of serving next to someone that REALLY doesn't want to be there frightens the hell out of me. If the shit hit the fan, would YOU want one of those folks being sent with you to do some dangerous mission (damage control below decks, storm the machine-gun nest, whatever)? Considering the "quality" of some of the folks we have and their less than stellar levels of commitment, I wouldn't want to see EVERYONE being forced to serve - even in the AmeriCorp or anything else.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 1:02 AM

2021-04-26T01:02:02-04:00

Why NOT Reserves?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 1:07 AM

2021-04-26T01:07:43-04:00

I've already met enough Soldiers that don't want to be in uniform after they volunteered. I don't relish the experience of serving next to people who don't want to be there at all.

I understand the need of the selective service system, if there were a global or large regional war that had the capability of threatening the American homeland then its necessity would be made clear.

Perhaps two years of service to the community or State could be a good thing, but I would want it as distanced from the military as possible. Maybe they could work as federally or state sponsored reserve fire fighters, community service officers to their local police department, as park rangers, or game wardens, and a variety of other tasks.

However keep in mind this will cost billions to suddenly make every 18 year old in America spend two years serving their community by force while they also need to make a living wage.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 1:27 AM

2021-04-26T01:27:43-04:00

This question comes up from time to time in here. I'd say once or twice a year in fact.

My opinion is that the US could never afford to pay people for compulsory service. The opinion of most people serving is that nobody wants to deal with kids who don't want to be there. We have enough problems with kids who regret joining already. It would be worse when you're babysitting even more people who just don't want to be there. Compulsory service works well in small places like Israel and Korea, but the US can't pay for all those 18-25 year olds working at once. I'm sure it would make for a better country, just like paid college for everyone, paid health care for everyone and stationing guards at every school to prevent mass murders. But money is a finite resource and we have to prioritize where it goes.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 26 at 2021 1:28 AM

2021-04-26T01:28:22-04:00

While deployed with a MEU to the Mediterranean, I got a chance to train closely with the military of many of our European allies. Most of which had compulsory military service for two years. Their professional career soldiers hated the policy. The majority of their non-volunteers were crap soldiers with crap attitudes, doing the minimum they could do and not incur punishment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 1:49 AM

2021-04-26T01:49:22-04:00

Absolutely not, we have enough people that don't do their job and don't want to be here as it is! Adding more to the mix will just make things 5000 times harder.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 26 at 2021 2:58 AM

2021-04-26T02:58:35-04:00

Absolutely not! We tried that on a smaller scale a la "The Draft" and we're STILL cleaning up the mess from that ill advised disaster. We have enough problems/issues with those who regret volunteering much less if they were forced into something they never wanted to do in the first place.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 26 at 2021 10:08 AM

2021-04-26T10:08:17-04:00

Yes. All US citizens turning 18 yo should be required to render 2 years public service in the military or other organized and federally approved job. Citizens with physical or mental special needs could be excepted but allowed to serve in jobs where accommodations could be made. Pay would be restricted to E3 max. No waivers or deferments. One year free post-secondary education after completing service.

DoD would need to expand its training base. Also terminate many contracts for Service and Support functions such as pavement and grounds maintenance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 10:19 AM

2021-04-26T10:19:11-04:00

No. Why do people think the military is this place to "fix" people or that it will teach anything?

That wouldn't solve racism. It's in our ranks and it's outside our ranks too. Entitlement? There's plenty of entitled people in the military.

Why would you want people who are forced to be in service?

The military isn't the end all,be all on service to country or teaching character.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-04-26T11:00:45-04:00

Hard no. We should attempt to be more free, rather than less free.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 26 at 2021 11:24 AM

2021-04-26T11:24:34-04:00

Absolutely not. Having served overseas and witnessed first hand what mandatory service looks like in comparison to an al volunteer force the decision is easy to make. Conscripted troops will under perform in comparison to volunteers. Hands down. Every time.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 26 at 2021 6:20 PM

2021-04-26T18:20:35-04:00

Not only no but hell no. Take a look at what the "quality bell curve" of input would be. It would make McNamara's Morons look good. With the current quality vs. meeting a target, the struggle is to create something good that will hang around for a while. Even with the level of testing and screening done now, the toss rate is troublesome. After that, the folk voting with their feet is a reflection of other problems. If you don't know about what McNamara did, look it up. Got a lot of people killed over it by forcing unsuitable and pretty much untrainable men in and then tossing them into combat. I remember being on a Tin Can and thanking God that the Navy didn't get any. But true to form, the Pentagon was thinking about doing it again in 2003 because of severe manpower shortages. Fortunately there were still a few of us around that could sound off about not repeating mistakes of the past.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2021 4:41 PM

2021-04-27T16:41:53-04:00

What are we going to do with 7 million PVTs?

Response by CPO John Moran made May 2 at 2021 9:38 PM

2021-05-02T21:38:27-04:00

When the draft was in effect prior to 1975, it was normal to serve 2 years of active duty. My brother served two years in the army during the 60s. I was drafted in 1970 for 2 years but I joined the Navy for 4 years and made a career out of the Navy