Do you think that the United States should require a person to join the military for at least two years after high school or college?

I think so, yes.

Those physically or mentally unqualified should ideally be exempt or given other jobs for that time period that support the military.

Weak links(aka lazy people)would be given extra time in a crap MOS like ....janitor. :lol

Unfortunately, I'm not president. :P

I think so.

Norway has a program like this.... you either spend a year or two in the military, or spend a year or two doing a civil service job.

I think it's an awesome idea.

I think people should be a part of what is making this country better, for certain. Whether that be working with Habitats for Humanity or volunteering at other places, or joining the military, I do believe that people should all contribute in some way. I did, so I can say that. I don't think it needs to be the military to help this country and help people to grow up and care a little about others though.

I think people should be a part of what is making this country better, for certain. Whether that be working with Habitats for Humanity or volunteering at other places, or joining the military, I do believe that people should all contribute in some way. I did, so I can say that. I don't think it needs to be the military to help this country and help people to grow up and care a little about others though.

:agree i think it's important that folks have a choice about what they can do, but this would help not only the country, but some folks would be able to take skills away from thier experiences and use them for career things... i'm not so great with the vocab tonight but you know what i mean!!! :insomnia

NO I dont think that someone should "have" to be in the military. I wouldnt want them standing next to me protecting me with an attitude of I dont want to do this.

I dont want my son to be in the military.. my opinion.

I think people should be a part of what is making this country better, for certain. Whether that be working with Habitats for Humanity or volunteering at other places, or joining the military, I do believe that people should all contribute in some way. I did, so I can say that. I don't think it needs to be the military to help this country and help people to grow up and care a little about others though.

:agree i think it's important that folks have a choice about what they can do, but this would help not only the country, but some folks would be able to take skills away from thier experiences and use them for career things... i'm not so great with the vocab tonight but you know what i mean!!! :insomnia

:agree :yes

I think so, yes.

Those physically or mentally unqualified should ideally be exempt or given other jobs for that time period that support the military.

Weak links(aka lazy people)would be given extra time in a crap MOS like ....janitor. :lol

Unfortunately, I'm not president. :P

:agree

It would have to take place as a gradual phasing in though, because right now, the political culture would not allow it, but I think it would be a good thing, and people would have a shift in attitude overall if there were some kind of military service requirement with a public service option if you were unable to serve in the military. :yes

It has been said on here a bagillion times that the military life isn't for everyone so I don't think military service should be required. I can see it as an option as part of a civil service program in general. Give them the option to go military, do Peace Corps, or AmeriCorp, or something along those lines - that way they have to participate in something and they won't feel forced or trapped.
In the movie Lions for Lambs two characters actually suggest that as part of an extended highschool program.

Not the military, but some kind of civil service, whether it is peace corps, military, being tutors for the underpriveleged, etc.

I think it should be madatory 2 years of college or military (civil service, etc) . I just don't think that the majority are ready for "life" at 18... and either one can and will help add another step of maturity to that person. :yes

I think they should choose between military service or civil service...
In Germany, you have the option of doing military service or if you were not into military then a civil service..The only exemption is if you are medically challenge..My uncle wanted to join the military but they wouldn't let him join because of his kidney so he didn't have to do both services.
I think the service will build character and confidence and at the end help and teach others.
I know that DH brother should do something like that instead of bumming off his father and changing jobs like changing underwear. This guy barely got kick out of high school and barely got his GED and he is 21. A little direction will help a lot plus it will get his lazy ass to do something other that just sit and smoke and drink....

Do you think that the United States should require a person to join the military for at least two years after high school or college?


In Eastern countries they still have the mandatory military system. Boys are being served with the military papers in the 10th-11th grade, time for them to prepare.

NO I dont think that someone should "have" to be in the military. I wouldnt want them standing next to me protecting me with an attitude of I dont want to do this.

I agree with this. I don't think the military life is for everyone. To be honest, I'm not sure if I could handle it myself. I mean I'm all for discipline and structure, but mentally I don't think I could do what the brave folks who are protecting us do. That's why I consider them heroes. They've made the choice to stand up and fight for us, if the services were mandatory, I don't think that we would view our servicemen and women the same way.

I support cumpulsory civil service but not necessarily military service. There are MANY ways a person could provide some service to this nation without having to do it in the military. Frankly, if someone doesn't want to be in the military, I don't want them forced to be there, kwim? I do, however, think that cumpulsory service after high school would do everyone - the individual and our society as a whole - a lot of good. For those objecting to the military they could "do their time" in other programs.

My boyfriend thinks everyone should have to serve.

And after thinking about it... I think those who graduate high school or turn 18 and are not enrolled in college should have to go serve. Those who are enrolled in college can finish college and then should serve. When you serve with a college degree... those with careers that are able, should be able to have a position in the military that their degree is comparable to/can practice using their degree(ie. doctor... nurse... chef... criminal law... etc).

Norway has a program like this.... you either spend a year or two in the military, or spend a year or two doing a civil service job.

I think it's an awesome idea.

:agree

I don't think it should be required. Many Europian countries have requirements. If my son or daughter wants to join, that should be their decision. If there were to be a requirement, they would need to make it for both males and females.

Do you think that the United States should require a person to join the military for at least two years after high school or college?

Nope. Just like I don't think we should reinstate the draft. Is military service GOOD for character development? Yep. Is it GOOD for personal esteem? Yep. Is it an overall good idea for an individual to spend some time serving their country and fighting for something other than the almighty dollar? Absolutely.

HOWEVER, I don't want some pissed off kid that's been mandated into the navy having my husbands life in his hands. Simple as that.

I agree with this. I don't think the military life is for everyone. To be honest, I'm not sure if I could handle it myself. I mean I'm all for discipline and structure, but mentally I don't think I could do what the brave folks who are protecting us do. That's why I consider them heroes. They've made the choice to stand up and fight for us, if the services were mandatory, I don't think that we would view our servicemen and women the same way.

I agree with this. I am not Military material, Hell I am not even Peace corps material.. I know this and that is why I chose not to join those programs. Why make things harder on the people who truly want to be there by forcing someone who isn't able to handle the lifestyle.

abso-f*cking-lutley NOT. America is an all volunteer COUNTRY. You set your own prices, without the government telling you what to charge, in business. You marry your own woman without your family telling you who it will be, before you're even IN the womb. A required military would take away from the freedom my husband is fighting for out of his own free will and the goodness of his heart.

I think so, yes.

Those physically or mentally unqualified should ideally be exempt or given other jobs for that time period that support the military.

Weak links(aka lazy people)would be given extra time in a crap MOS like ....janitor. :lol

Unfortunately, I'm not president. :P

:agree

HELLO NO

There are some people in this country that I do NOT want protecting my freedom.

I mean seriously could you see Paris Hilton in the military :no :rofl

I dont think anyone should have to serve in the military if its not what they truly want to do, even though the military is good for building charcter the military isnt for everybody

no I think everyone should be able to decide what they want to do in life and that goes for the military too. I don't think forcing anyone into it will do any good.

No, not if it's not necessary. If it's necessary to have a draft due to low numbers and high demand, then yes.

Norway has a program like this.... you either spend a year or two in the military, or spend a year or two doing a civil service job.

I think it's an awesome idea.

I agree with this......military or civil service.

I think people should be a part of what is making this country better, for certain. Whether that be working with Habitats for Humanity or volunteering at other places, or joining the military, I do believe that people should all contribute in some way. I did, so I can say that. I don't think it needs to be the military to help this country and help people to grow up and care a little about others though.

I agree. How well this would work in the whole "me, me, me" society we have going on though... who knows.

No, but i believe if your on welfare and not looking for a job (mooching off the system) then yes you should have to serve to give back

Yes. This has become a country of "let some one else do it". I think it should be their choice in which branch to join.

I don't think it should be mandatory, either. American Citizenship should be reserved for people who actually want to BE citizens by serving the country that provides the blanket, food and roof, not those that demand it as a birth right. It should be that with service comes citizenship.

We have freedoms because someone before you stepped up to the plate and served this country in some fashion. If you don't want to serve the country, the country shouldn't be obligated to serve you. I'm singling out broodmares, fraudulent claimees and false heroes here.

Save a very low percentage of people, EVERYONE can contribute to the country in some fashion, regardless of mental/physical condition.

I think so, but I always thought it was my duty to serve as an American

oh heck no. I dont think it should be mandatory at all. Some people are against joining the military even though they do appreciate the people that do serve the country. some have religious reasons why they cannot join the military and therefore are conscientous objectors. Not that that makes them bad people for not wanting to serve their country. They can do that in other ways other than having to be in the military. My hubby and I also do not want our son to join the military either and I dont think he can because he is my hubbys only child and I would not want him serving and risk losing him. no no no. sorry if you think im bad about this or dont agree with me but this is how I feel.

Alot of countries actually have programs similar to this. I think it would be a good idea however like others have said, there should be some options - PeaceCorp, AmeriCorp, etc... not just the military.

i haven't read all the threads here so bare with me if i repeat something, i absolutely do not think that you should have to serve, there are plenty of other ways to serve your country, other than in the military, not everyone can deal with the stress and the pressure of the military, and i know myself i wouldn't last 3 seconds in the military and you can't make just the men do it. we got rid of the draft for a reason. i think that people join the military to support the cause that they believe in, if they don't believe in it i don't want them there, if you force people into something they don't want to do, then you have treason. i think it would not be a good idea at all. now i think if your an illegal alien, and have been living here illegally that it should be an option to stay here and help our military or get deported. JMO

you know also what would it do for advancements? you get people in there that don't want to be there forced to take test and they are good test takers, our military Heroes wouldn't be looked at as heroes anymore and our benefits would go down because the government wouldn't beable to afford it . people do plenty of good outside of the military in the civilian world making decent livings and making good choices without having served. i think it would actually make joining and that feeling of pride that comes with it, i think it would make that run of the mill and average and i don't think there is anything run of the mill about standing on the front lines of any war. again JMO

Not at all because it costs lots money to train them.

I would rather have the money be spent elsewhere than on someone who is 'forced' to be in.

I would not want my dh to work alongside some douche who is resentful because he/she was forced to join.

I certantly don't think it would hurt to have Mandatory Military. Its intersting, but a few months ago, an instructor of mine brought this up. You would be surprised at the negative, selfish "It's not my job" comments that were offered from the fresh out of high school kids. (No offense to anyone, these are just people from my college). It seems that these people assume that it is someone else's job to defend our freedom and country. So, in that effect, yes I think it woudl be a good thing, to teach kids patriotism, and teach them that freedom isn't free, and they are a part of the country, not just the part that reaps the benefits. In the same light, I think the screening process should be a good one, because there are people who definitley can't handle the physical rigors of the military.

Ok, there's my never humble opinion!!! LOL!! :sun:anchor

No, but i believe if your on welfare and not looking for a job (mooching off the system) then yes you should have to serve to give back

THERE you go! Now THAT's an effective solution!! :D

I think it should be a choice. If they forced people to be in the military, there would be people that really wouldn't want to be there and the military would not be nearly as strong as when people are in the military because they chose to be.

I know I am in the minority here but I think making service MANDATORY (whether it is military or civil service) goes against everything our men and women are currently fighting for. Last I checked my history books part of the foundation of this country is that we are free to choose for ourselves how to live our lives. Yes I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, I have chosen to work for less pay in an inner city school rather than take a cushy suburban job with the hope of make a difference in children's lives, but those are my choices. I decided to do these things to help those who need it the best I can. Yes my Db has volunteered to serve in the Army but that was his choice to serve and protect the country and people he loves. You can't make someone feel passionate about something...and to do the things you are seeking to make mandatory...you truly have to be passionate about the cause.

Just my opinion...I am sure many will disagree.

No. I wouldnt want to serve in the military. I know its not somewhere where I would be happy, so I wouldnt be helping there as much as I could be doing something else. Nor would I want my children to HAVE to serve. I want them to have freedom of choice.

I think it should be a choice. If they forced people to be in the military, there would be people that really wouldn't want to be there and the military would not be nearly as strong as when people are in the military because they chose to be.

Not to mention the high amount of ppl who would be accepting all kinds of money offers for exchange of classified information and such. there would be leaks and problems everywhere :yes

two words

HELL NO!

No, I don't agree with that one bit! The military isn't for everyone, and I certainly wouldn't want people fighting for this country that didn't want to.

Plus, I would be highly pissed off, if I was a guy, and had big plans of going to college or medical school, but it got pissed on by having to join the military. :no Not good...

no i don't...it would not be cost effective to train those people and then have them leave the military after only 2 years