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Benefits of military mandatory service
Mandatory military service in the United States
Benefits of military mandatory service
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Mandatory Military Service in the United States The idea that members of a community have the duty to defend it, is as old as civilization itself (Ruschmann 10). The United States has an extensive history, starting with the original thirteen States of involuntary conscription in time of conflict. Citizen’s service is a standard principle of American military service, which places the obligation of service upon citizens to serve and to ensure that the state require those citizens to serve (Dalehite and Birskyte 1). With this obligation, young people will be imbued with a sense of “duty” and being part of the collective effort in which everyone will have and do their part for the benefit of the nation. Thereby, military service in the United States should be compulsory, because it will provide young adults with economic and social benefits that will give them a better understanding of commitment and sacrifice, making them better citizens and great assets to the nation. Scholars have defined public service as a “motivational force that induces individuals to perform meaningful public service (Dalehite and Birskyte 2).” History shows us the importance of service. The idea of members of a society serving and defending their community is nothing new; actually it’s as old as civilization itself. Starting with the Roman and Greek societies, who establish their militaries not through standing armies, but by requiring every able body male, 18 and older, to be prepare for service when called upon. This helped not only to prepare the nation and people for any conflict, it gave the citizens a sense of duty. These societies created the blueprint for the creation of the “citizen-soldiers”. Before the founding of the United States as a sovereig... ... middle of paper ... ...lehite, Estaban G. and Luicija Birskyte. “Shared Sacrifice? An Inquiry into the Willingness to Perform Compulsory Military Service”. Journal of the Military and Strategic Studies 12.1 (2009): 1-16. Print. Ruschmann, Paul. Mandatory Military Service (Point/Counterpoint). New York: Chelsea House Pub, September 2003. Print. Galston, Williams A. “Compulsory National Service Would Strengthen American Citizenship.” Usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report, LLC, 12 Oct. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. Lt Col Coates, Charles. “A Call to Service for America’s Youth.” Dtic.mil. U.S. Army War College, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. Mazur, Diane. A More Perfect Military: “How the Constitution Can Make Our Military Stronger. New York: Oxford University Press, October 2010. Print. Ruschmann, Paul. Mandatory Military Service (Point/Counterpoint). New York: Chelsea House Pub, September 2003. Print.
The United States Army is an important subculture within our society. It has many uniquely defining attributes, which separate it from the general culture and from the subcultures of the other branches of the military. The Army’s subculture is critical to the effective operation and discipline of the Army. The Army is critical to the survival of our country, our society, and our way of life. Only certain individuals are willing to accept the demands of this subculture to be soldiers in order to preserve our freedoms for their own, and future, generations.
Therefore, if the majority of the nation isn’t going to do anything to be proud of, why should they have the chance to do anything? Well if we are going to make young Americans serve to protect this country to keep it free from the horrors of the world, we as citizens should take notice and appreciate it and live life to its fullest potential and make something of ourselves. The draft may be something that would be very beneficial to the American society, it may be just
I never thought I would say this but I think we should reinstate the draft. It has been years since we have wanted or needed a draft, but in view of the United States being attacked on September 11, 2001, I feel our country must be ready and prepared to defend itself. If being prepared means reinstating the draft, a mandatory summons for military service, then I think we should consider this a reasonable proposal. I think the tragic events of September 11 will evoke most people to agree with me. Since September 11 we have seen a surge of patriotism in this country that seemed hidden for many years. I am so glad patriotism was not lost, and I think most Americans would be willing to defend their country in light of this attack. We are a nation and a people who believe in freedom and democracy. It tells other nations who we are and what we stand for. It is these beliefs that lead me to believe that the people of the United States will do anything to preserve our freedom and democracy even if it means reinstating the draft. I want to prove this notion, but am unsure how to accomplish this. I have not read any recent articles in newspapers or magazines that have dealt with this issue. My textbook was not a source either. So I decided to do two things. First, I went to the Internet for any information, articles, discussions, or statements relating to this issue. Second, I decided to conduct an informal poll. This informal poll consisted of male and female respondents with an age span of eighteen to sixty two. My poll started with classmates in my Western Civilization and Studio Art classes and the professors who instruct these classes. My poll included emailing friends and family who live and work in New York, family currently serving in the Armed Forces, and a family member who is a Veteran of the Viet Nam War. Also included in this poll is a random sampling of the townspeople of Los Alamos. Medical personnel at Los Alamos Women’s Health Services, and the lunch crowd at Café’ Allegro rounded out my poll. This cross section of Americans evoked many feelings and opinions and stimulated many conversations and critical thought. These conversations exhilarated me and the results I obtained amazed me.
This essay seeks to explore whether the American Legion’s charter should be amended so as to better reflect our nation’s appreciation for those who serve in times of war and peace. Indeed, it is an issue made all the more cogent today: With increasing numbers of young Americans rejecting the armed forces as a career option, recruitment goals are not being met and the military is being forced to lower its entrance requirements. If this trend is not soon reversed, the U.S. military could be perceived as incapable of implementing our nation’s strategic policies abroad -- a perception that can only encourage the most aggressive ambitions of other nations.
“First, conscription doesn’t save much cash. It costs money to manage and enforce a draft- history demonstrates that not every inductee would go quietly. Conscripts serve shorter terms and reenlist less frequently, increasing turnover, which is expensive. And unless the government instituted a Czarist lifetime draft, everyone beyond the first ranks would continue to expect to be paid” (Forbes). Even though “The military not only provides training in a range of specialties; it also offers educational benefits for veterans-- including many from underprivileged back grounds-- that might not be available under a mandatory
Over forty years has passed since the United States inducted the last draftee through the Selective Service System. The Selective Service System is an independent agency of the United States, which gives the President the right or power to conscript men for military service. There have been different Acts passed by congress since 1917 that require men of various ages to register for service. Although, the name of each Act and the age requirements of the registries changed, the Acts were all similar in nature. They all gave the President the right to call men to war when he deemed necessary. In January 1973, Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird announced the creation of the all-volunteer service, retracting the need for the draft (GAO.gov). Under current law, all men between the ages of 18-25 must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, however this information is used mostly for recruitment purposes and in case of any future crisis. There has been much controversy over this matter since the Vietnam War, when people started to realize the draft was unfair due to loopholes and draft exemptions making the draft unfair for working men. At one point in time the military draft may have been necessary, but today’s all-volunteer military has eliminated the need for a draft.
Over the years America has been in countless wars, which has exposed the people and their society's ideals to the military's influence. The United States were founded on the spilling of blood which is justified through the act of battle. Military branches have developed since they were first brought into being as the “Minutemen”, but one thing that hasn't changed over time is the people's’ trust. Andrew Bacevich exploits America's dependence and idealisation of their armed forces, as well as explains how the belief came to be.
Generally, reinstating the Constitutional draft would solidify the meaning of being an American citizen. Often, wealthier and more privileged people are able to ask for exemption from serving, which makes representation of soldiers in combat composed of less-privileged citizens. With compulsory conscription, all American citizens, men or women, ages 18-26 are subject to be recruited for the armed forces. In fact, only 4 members of the 107th Congress who voted in favor of the Iraq war had children serving there. Politicians would know how it feels to have loved ones in a war, instead of freely speaking about wartime without experiencing it in any way.1 Moreover, Americans feel that public support for war in foreign countries is not strong because the soldiers fighting are p...
Ever since the first war involving America started, there have been countless discussions on who should fight for our country. There are talks of age, gender, and if the service should be voluntary or not. In America, serving is voluntary, although, in other countries, it is not. The service should stay voluntary in America because if not, it would go against freedom and it would be a source of newfound problems within our country. Also, if youth took off two years of their lives to serve, they would not gain experience to work in the fields that need more work force.
Singer, P.W. “Children at War.” Military History 24.6 (2007): 1-5. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
The United States purports to hold the ideal that all people are entitled to certain inalienable rights, the most fundamental of which is that to life. However, never are principles tested so strenuously as during times of conflict and crisis, and it is here that the resolve of the United States to truly protect its citizens deteriorates entirely. Despite claiming to honor its citizens' lives, the US government maintains a wartime institution that is totally contrary thereto: the Selective Service System, the government's euphemism for male conscription.
Hamilton, Ian. Compulsory Service; A Study of the Question in the Light of Experience. General LLC. Print.
More than two decades ago, President Nixon ended the military draft. Now a new and more menacing form of enlistment is threatening our school systems. This enlistment I am speaking of is that we are forcing "community service" to be a requirement for high school graduation.
As a whole, the United States continues to face military conflicts worldwide, especially with the more recent threats with ISIS. There are a few countries that still require young people serve up to two years of military service, such as Korea, Israel, and Chile. (“World Factbook”) Some people believe and have proposed that the United States adopt a similar policy of mandatory conscription. Gen. McChrystal states on an interview by Ron Fournier, “One of the ways we can rebuild that sense of ownership, sense of shared ownership, is through experience, and so I believe that every young person deserves—I don't think this is an onerous
...datory military service can provide a way for people achieve a greater life. With the military young adult in need of a better environment would become improved in what ever those people were going to do in life. This will give people job opportunities and more dedication to life. A mandatory military service for all people between the ages of 18 and 24 would only bring good to society.