Should "Universal Service" be required to become a citizen instead of birth?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:33:31 -0400

Concepts of universal service means approximately two years of service within a specific time frame. Service is within the physical/intellectual capabilities and choice of the person and needs of the nation and may also assist with job training. Examples include public institutions such as Peace Corps, forestry, national parks, military, medical, educational, etc. Proponents have suggested that one gets at least two years of higher education in exchange for two years of service and the right to vote.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 15 at 2015 12:37 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:37:29 -0400

I think this is a great idea.

Response by SGT David T. made May 15 at 2015 12:38 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:38:52 -0400

I like this idea as long as it doesn't end up stove piped into the military only. I think the person should choose where they serve and in what capacity but they should serve. A sense of community is something that we are lacking in most places. This might help to bring that back.

Response by MSgt Sharon Davis made May 15 at 2015 12:40 PM

MSgt Sharon Davis — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:40:26 -0400

good idea.. most countries have this.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 12:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:45:56 -0400

Pretty much my repose to your other question: We should have mandatory conscription for all able bodied males. Just two years to either the military, police, or other civil service sector......if they go one to a full career great....if they don't great also but at least they have gotten a taste of what is it like to server your fellow countrymen and serve with them and sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with that......anyway just my two cents

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 15 at 2015 1:02 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:02:41 -0400

This concept is discussed at length in the book Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. Great book, on the Commandant's Reading List.

I love the idea of Citizens having "Obligations" and "Duties." Jury Duty & Selective Service are the two that come to mind.

I'm divided on this issue.

You don't value things you don't work for. Anything that is given to you doesn't have the same value as something that you sweat blood & tears for. But, we sweat blood & tears so our children don't have to.

Who remembers the last great Jewish Boxer? Or Asian gardeners? I know these are stereotypes, but they're OLD stereotypes from yesteryear.

Now, we do reward public service. Serve 4 years in the Military and you get the GI Bill. But we also swapped to an All Volunteer Force for a variety of reasons.

Response by SPC Fred Krauer made May 15 at 2015 1:09 PM

SPC Fred Krauer — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:09:21 -0400

At the very least, a person should have to serve in order to have the right to vote. Since we have so many people in this country who would protest mandatory service, I think two years of voluntary service should cut your federal taxes in half. If a person doesn't want to serve, that's fine, but they will be paying the full rate. In your time of service, if you are injured, your taxes shouldn't be higher than 1% of your taxable income. I know the fat cat career politicians would never let that fly though. They need every penny they can get to keep funding those free haircuts and expensive suits.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 15 at 2015 1:11 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:11:14 -0400

Once you sort out the deferment issues ...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 1:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:17:16 -0400

This sounds great, but most of the people in the country don't understand the concepts of selfless service and sacrafice. I'm sure this wouldn't even make it to a vote in Congress. It's unfortunate, but I think the majority of our citizens are of the, "What can you do for me", mindset and this concept goes completely against that.

Response by CSM David Heidke made May 15 at 2015 1:34 PM

CSM David Heidke — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:34:03 -0400

Robert Heinlein thought so...

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made May 15 at 2015 1:38 PM

SGT Anthony Bussing — Fri, 15 May 2015 13:38:59 -0400

Here are my thoughts.....

we should bring back the CCC and WPA.

At age 18 all people should be mandated into service in either military, CCC, WPA or something else...two years. The Military would be by choice only...we do not need to bring back the draft...it would serve to weaken our force by flooding it with people who dont ant to be there. but if we could have a choice for these people, working with the dept of ag, or interior...doing that stuff, I would be ok with it..

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 9:34 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 21:34:38 -0500

Absolutely not. This is not "Starship Troopers" thinly veiled nazi utopia that administratively divides society as privileged citizens or as freeloaders with no right to vote. I am for voluntary universal service and I am a proponent of citizenship by blood, inherited from parents regardless of the place of birth. Say, if US were to adopt this most common form of citizenship in the world and the foreign parents happen to reside here, then the solution is simple. Anyone residing here for 5 years and paying taxes (current law) should have the right to become a citizen, with universal service making it possible only after 2-3 years with an added bonus of wiping the college debt. No more "anchor" babies. However, there should be no connection ever between compulsory service and the right to vote. This would disenfranchised many for whom universal service is not an option or choice. Ethical and moral society should not allow creation of a class of sub-citizens unable to vote because they cannot or will not "buy" into the universal service.

Response by SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt made Feb 19 at 2023 10:56 AM

SP6 Peter Kreutzfeldt — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 10:56:42 -0500

I did, 2 years in the Nam and 1 year state side duty. But that did not give me citizenship automatically, still had to get sworn in