Young Americans should be required to complete some form of military or civilian public service to ease tensions in the U.S. and as a solution to the decline in civic participation, according to service advocates, military veterans and political commentators, USA Today reports.
Less than 1 percent of U.S. adults are currently on active duty — 1.3 million in today's all-voluntary force compared to 3.1 million in 1996 — according to Census Bureau data. In 2016, 8 percent of adults were serving or had served in the military compared to 18 percent in 1980.
Lloyd Green, former staff secretary to the George H.W. Bush campaign's Middle East Policy Group, recently opined that national service could "bring the role of military into proper perspective," following the dust-up between Chief of Staff John Kelly and Rep. Frederica Wilson.
Added Robert Litan, an economist at the Council on Foreign Relations: "It would create a virtuous cycle." … and "would help bring us together gradually over time."
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5 comments:
We've been saying this for fifty years.
Problem is that the government keeps phuking our veterans over!
Old days, you got a pension and care - now you die waiting!
Even if it's done as a lottery, somebody will scream racism and make money doing it.
Just think what it would due to our young people who have no responsibilities - grow up faster and have a purpose in life other than protesting.
People should really think deeply before signing any contract with the military. Even if one only goes into reserves or NG any misstep could ruin the rest of your life. If one decides for whatever reason they don't like it, can't conform, or whatever, any discharge that is not honorable will hurt them the rest of their days. You will lose your right to own a firearm and have a black mark on your "permanent record" that will hurt employment and other things.
Also, if someone with higher rank takes a dislike to you, you will have a hard time until you fulfill your commitment. 18yo's don't fully understand the ramifications of such a contract until it's too late.
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