One of the greatest problems facing America today is the fact that we still rely on volunteer military service. The idea that Americans have to rely on a volunteer fighting force to defend this great country is very unsettling. In fact, the number of U.S Soldiers has been reduced to its lowest number since 1940, which then forces the military to depend on unstable and unprepared soldiers. This will put not only those troops at risk, but also our country. The only way to solve the weakness of volunteer military service is to implement a new idea. That idea would be to make it mandatory for all able-bodied citizens over the age of 18 to serve. Another name for this practice is called mandatory military service. Mandatory Military service will solve the problem of Volunteer Military service by maintaining and accumulating a strong military force quickly and promoting unity in the country. One reason why Mandatory service is the best possible solution or alternative is due to the strength and nationality unity it brings. Every young adult should embrace this responsibility to defend the sacred shores of their birthplace in exchange for the fortune of being an American. Having this compulsory service will create a large military force in reserve which can be called upon anytime. With every single citizen enlisting in the military, this allows a country to defend its land and people with the drop of a dime. The Government has had such a difficult time of assembling a full fighting force dating back to the early 1970’s (John Spence,2016) Though during the Vietnam war America had the closest thing to mandatory service, and it was called the draft. However, after that war the United States ended that practice. The Government believed that Americans would Volunteer to serve when the nation’s security is at risk, but the past few years of war have proven that assumption wrong. For example, the Army tried to expand their troop number to meet the demands of Iraq and Afghanistan but it failed to do so. This then forced current soldiers to have their tour extended and have unfit soldiers return for duty. This solution solved nothing but continuing the horrible institutional idea of Volunteer service. This is why it is so
In today's society where opinion matters, people have been extremely vocal about the lack of support the government has provided to our veterans. Many feel as if the government should do more, while others feel as if they are doing enough. Everyone will have a difference of opinion no matter if they have severed in the military or not. No matter how one may feel, is extremely important to take care of our veterans. As they have sacrificed their lives, time, and family to protect our country. Contrary to one's belief, the government provides a substantial amount of programs, which support the veterans. Honestly more could be done. On any given day you could see women and men standing on the corner holding signs implying they are homeless veterans and will work for food. A few programs the government offers our veterans are funding for mental health services, The Wounded Warrior Project and Vocational Rehabilitation and Education, which will be discussed throughout this essay. When you research the programs, they make it sound as if all proceeds are going towards the best treatment and care money could buy.
“Should the United State of America adopt the idea that every American citizen should serve at least 2 years in the military?”, in my opinion, this is a terrible idea. America is “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”. Going into the military should be a personal choice.What would this benefit anyways? This is, in my opinion, a bad idea, this would change the course of America’s history as we know it.
For the vast majority of our nation’s history, the United States has had an all volunteer military. During our nations over two hundred and thirty seven years, only about thirty five, most of which in the 20th century, was conscription or a “draft” was in effect. The United States, up until the Civil War, rarely kept nor desired a standing Army. Relying on individual state militia’s,
With all the controversy surrounding mandatory military service, past and recent incidents have shown a greater need to protect ourselves from those who wish to do us harm. Continued decline in enlistment, and a
While many people believe that an all-volunteer service could be more efficient, the United States government should institute a combination of a draft and volunteer service as its military service profile. An all-volunteer service is one which derives its manpower from volunteers rather than conscription or mandatory service. Conscription (or drafting) is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, such as military service. Many arguments are presented in support of both the draft and the all-volunteer force. These arguments are analyzed in the following categories: military effectiveness; cost and other economic considerations; and morality. Even though the United States changed to an all-volunteer service in 1973, the country reserves the right to renew conscription in the event of an emergency.
Mandatory military service can help promote national unity. First, it will allow Millennials to learn and train together, creating a shared experience and a conversation starter of serving in the military. Then there is the general understanding of what life actually is in the army and what will have to be done in order to protect the country and yourself. Millennials will be able to understand and adapt an appreciation for the sacrifices that many people in the military make for their country. More importantly, it’ll bring everyone together as a country, especially with a threat from other nations. When the nations do
The United States has come a long way from the mandatory draft preceding 1973. The abolishment of the military draft efficiently resulted in a volunteer based enlistment. The U.S. has had no problem recruiting enlistees in past years (Thompson), yet confidence in our government and the unity of their democracy is at an all time low. The people do not feel like recognized members of the political unit, and this undermines the basic principles of maintaining a republic (Stengel). For a republic to work, it requires active participation of the citizens, in mind and body. Americans must take involvement in said government to remain free and have a voice in the matter (Kinley). If all participation is left solely to the bureaucracy, that constitutes
The United states national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, states: "Land of the free, home of the brave." This patriotic song adopted by the United States as our national anthem to express our nation's identity is no longer justified in relations with females being required to be drafted into the military. The word required emphasizes that this is not the "land of the free" because the United States is making it a requirement for citizens to be forced into the military out of their own free will. Furthermore, the anthem states "home of the brave", but people are not being brave when they are being forced. Bravery means having courage and being ready to face anything that comes your way, but if the military is making it a requirement to those
Think also, the possibility of forcing young criminals between the ages of 18 and 25 to join the military. Maybe due to joining the military, these young criminals would be reformed into honorable, self-respecting individuals or become leaders of our great nation. In addition, if military conscription were implemented, the tax payers would not have to pay for the juvenile criminals to be locked up in maximum or minimum security centers.
Making military service mandatory sound like it would be a good idea. This can give discipline, makes stronger citizens, but the reality is doing this takes away freedom and goes against the very foundations of what America is supposed to be. Mandatory military service should not be required for American citizens.
The topic of mandatory national service has been around for years now, and there will always be arguments on whether it should be enforced or not. Some may say that it takes away our freedom, but is it not what gives us freedom in the first place? The United States’ military, national service, as well as community service is based on volunteers. That is what makes this country great, but there are less volunteers as years go by. Crime increases, streets are not safe anymore, Americans are oblivious to what is happening around the world. There are so many opportunities to give back to the country, yet, not many care. Today’s generation is based on social trends, and self-gratification. There is also the fact that many young people do not know what to do with their life after high school, some continue to college or focus on work, others do not work nor study. Therefore, all young men and women should be required to give two years to national service because it can help solve problems as well as build the community back together.
National service typically means compulsory military service during peace times. Otherwise known as conscription, but the term can also include service in the education and health sectors. National service is a contentious issue with the rise in terrorist attacks and resultant increased fear of different groups of people. This essay will argue that no form of national service should be compulsory. Following from this introduction, Part II will focus on the societal benefits of compulsory military service. Part III will then examine the negative impacts. Part IV examines the balance between the benefits and detriments of conscription. Finally, Part V will discuss national service in the context of public service. I will examine whether adoption of the expansive meaning of national service alters the balance between the benefits and detriments.
In todays society the war in the Middle East can be considered a controversial topic. The men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan put their lives on the line every day to help keep our country free. No one has forced them to serve in the United States Armed Forces they have made their own conscience decision to serve. However these men and women only make up a small percentage of the United States population. Should all men and women be required to serve in the U.S. armed forces when they graduate from high school or should the United States require mandatory military service?
In the essay, “What You Can Do For Your Country,” James Herbert Bushman speaks of instituting a mandatory military service requirement of three years, starting before the age of twenty-four. Bushman states his belief that as a requisite of citizenship, you must serve in a branch of the military. He claims that a necessary service will benefit more than only the military, but will benefit individual people as well by increasing the feeling of unity, the knowledge and skillset of the individual, and will grant equal pay and benefits for all in service. Bushman suggests that everyone who is unwilling to serve their country is no better than a freeloader or a beggar on a street corner, mooching off others’ efforts and earnings. Similarly, he repeats the old phrase ‘freedom is not free,’ and insinuates that everyone must work equally for their share of freedom.
Another benefit of mandating the service of young adults is that they would be disciplined and setup for success in life as a productive citizen of the United States. Military boot camp is designed to break the recruit down to where they are not better than any other recruit, and then they train them to do their best in every task they approach. This creates unrivaled discipline and extreme excellence in every operation the United States military executes. Not only will this be useful while in military service, but also when they begin to operate in the working world. This requirement will unify the working force as a result of the mandated service. Businesses will be able to work efficiently and accurately in all that they accomplish. Again, this will improve the United States as a country. Why would the United States refuse this mandate? The only reason would be that they bring the law down to the lowest denominator of the few people who argue with the benefits. These people might say that not all people are designed to be in the military. However, the military has jobs for every make and model. Every talent is useful to the military. Making young adult serve in the military for two years would actually give them time to figure out what their future career is meant to be. Some people cannot ever be satisfied, and would object to anything! On the contrary, decisions that have the abundance of benefits as mandating service for young