Mandatory service for your country - ?

[mffdvr]

I was in the kitchen this morning mixing up my default breakfast (maple/brown sugar instant oatmeal) and was having a Veterans’ Day related discussion with a female veteran of the Panama conflict from back in the day. Anyhow, we were discussing the respect or lack thereof of the holiday and of the importance of what our servicemen and women do for us each and everyday.

Our discussion slowly drifted onto the theory of mandatory service for all when you reach the age of 18-21. Be it the armed services, Peace Corps, Americorps, etc…I think important lessons could and would be taught to the youngsters of this country. The people of tomorrow have some difficult issues to face…and from what I’m seeing on a day-to-day basis, in the news, in person, etc…isn’t real comforting. Too much violence/gangs, disrespect of others, individualistic thinking, etc…

Probably never happen in our lifetime, but I’m the interest of discussion, I think our country would be a better place if some service oriented requirements were mandatory for our young people.

Discuss…pros/cons?! :dunno:

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY! :patriot:

[mffdvr]

shit...I didn't even know this forum existed. :o :eek:

Now...back to the discussion. :lol: :toetap:

:bigok:

[mikester]

Now that I'm way past that age - I'm all for mandatory military service. :bigok:

[mffdvr]

As for me and my willingness in the past to participate...I was "this" close to joining the Peace Corps directly after college, but I had a legal issue that I had to attend to and by the time it was ultimately resolved, I was well into the 2nd year of my career and was 24 yrs. old.

I had sat down with a recruiter for over 3 hours...had completed all my paperwork...had references/referalls/etc...I was there man....would have been a great experience/adventure. Maybe when I retire. Be a good way to really make a difference and give back to some less fortunate. :dunno: :idea:

Anyhow...back on the mandatory service theory. :dunno:

[mffdvr]

Now that I'm way past that age - I'm all for mandatory military service. :bigok:yeah...just think how many of those troubled children at your kids schools...would have a great opportunity to turn their shit around and be a productive citizen. This next generation has so much potential to make a difference and unfortunately...most of it's all being wasted. :(

[Adam_Schwartz]

It's a very good question - the problem with being a free nation is that people have the right to decide how they allocate their time with regard to things like volunteer work. So you will always have push-back from those who think their rights are being infringed upon (which they may be, but I'll put that aside for now). Is it a good idea to volunteer for SOME type of civil service? I think so, but I doubt you could ever make it mandatory in the US.

[mikester]

I was "this" close to joining the Peace Corps directly after college

OMG, you really ARE a hippie. :snicker:

[mffdvr]

OMG, you really ARE a hippie. :snicker:yeah....kinda....but at least I'm clean. :o

[Throtex]

Some type of service? Maybe
Mandatory military service? I don't know ... something about the effectiveness of the all-volunteer military that makes me think that would be a bad idea.

[Killer]

I dunno...do they have an MOS for Beauty School Dropout?

The service would be the best thing that could happen for my kid right now...she would HAVE TO finally grow up. :patriot:

[mffdvr]

Agreed...something...the youth in this country need a swift kick in the ass and the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) exams sure ain't the trick. :lol: :(

This broad I was chatting up this morning that did her time in Panama was telling me about how close we were to reintroducing the military draft again in 1998. She didn't much elaborate...but that made me :wired: I was 20-21 at the time. I would have gone for sure :patriot: ...but I'm certain that I'd be dead.

:lol: :(

[mambo#5]

I think it would be a great idea, but only if you were given different choices such as peace corps vs. military service.

[Wraab Wall]

yeah, no. I repsect what everyone in my family did, since I'm the only one who never served. But to think that mandatory service will straighten up this country is hilarious. I've seen plenty of people come out of the military just as effed up or more than when they went in. :dunno:

[mffdvr]

Robb...you got any thoughts on non-military public service opportunities?! :dunno:

[Throtex]

Brynn ... join the Cub Scouts.

[mffdvr]

I was...for like two years....Bear or Webelo or something. :lol:

:snipe:

[Wraab Wall]

yes, everyone should volunteer to do something -- give back you c0cksuckers

[Throtex]

yes, everyone should volunteer to do something -- give back you c0cksuckers

Can't we just send Ndongo some money or something?

[mffdvr]

I'm guessing down stream we'd have to tighten up the immigration requirements...and we all know how that'd go. :grumble:

[Killer]

<---Life Scout/Order of the Arrow. My brother made it to Eagle!

[Adam_Schwartz]

Beel can tie some mean knots!

[mffdvr]

<----knot-zer0

:(

[Wraab Wall]

Can't we just send Ndongo some money or something?

:spit:

[RLG]

Israel has compulsory military service (3 years for males, 2 years for females right out of high school), but then again, they NEED it...I'm not sure we're at that point yet.

I also thought about doing Peace Corps right out of college at one point. I wanted to go to Morocco.

I really don't think any of it should be mandatory.

[mffdvr]

why Morocco? :dunno:

[RLG]

why Morocco? :dunno:

In 2003 it was the only Arabic speaking country on the list.

[mffdvr]

I think Jordan is on the list now too, right?

[RLG]

I think Jordan is on the list now too, right?

I dunno, I haven't looked into it since 2003.

[Adam_Schwartz]

I hear Syria is in need of some volunteers.

[Killer]

Beel can tie some mean knots!

Used to be able to. Still know a few...

[mffdvr]

I'd like to go to Tahiti. :idea:

[mikester]

why Morocco? :dunno:

Everyone kept telling her she had some nice maraccas, and she wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

[Throtex]

Macaca!

[mffdvr]

Lake Titicaca! :run:

[RLG]

Everyone kept telling her she had some nice maraccas, and she wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Please keep your knowledge of my maraccas to yourself.
:sqnteek:

[mffdvr]

:wired:

[Killer]

pita bread for all!

[Adam_Schwartz]

Used to be able to. Still know a few...

I imagine the arthritis in your hands makes most knots hard to tie.

[Killer]

I imagine the arthritis in your hands makes most knots hard to tie.

:killer: It's terrible..I tell ya!:snicker:

[Stevo Stitches]

I didn't want to be that guy who always bitches about the gov't while sitting on his fat ass eating potato chips so decided to become a civil servant. I work with people w/ Master's and PhD's that could be making six figures in the private sector.
I don't think military service should be mandatory but it would be good for colleges to require you to perform __ hrs of volunteer work helping out the community.

"Ask not what your country can do for you..."

[Thunder Dump]

:lollol:

[Simmster]

I didn't want to be that guy who always bitches about the gov't while sitting on his fat ass eating potato chips so decided to become a civil servant. I work with people w/ Master's and PhD's that could be making six figures in the private sector.
I don't think military service should be mandatory but it would be good for colleges to require you to perform __ hrs of volunteer work helping out the community.

"Ask not what your country can do for you..."

I was with you until you final statement, Steve.

[Stevo Stitches]

:lollol:

I forgot you became a cop for free donuts.

http://z.about.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/4/B/wiggum.jpg

[Thunder Dump]

And the tasings. Don't forget the tasings.

[Euro-Man]

I don't think mandatory volunteer work in college is a bad idea. :dunno:

Mandatory military service - hell no. I've heard plenty of horrible stories about it from my dad. He had to serve in teh soviet army. :mland:

[Throtex]

I don't think mandatory volunteer work in college is a bad idea. :dunno:

Mandatory military service - hell no. I've heard plenty of horrible stories about it from my dad. He had to serve in teh soviet army. :mland:

Is that what they call it in Soviet Russia? "Mandatory volunteering"? :mhihi:

[Euro-Man]

Is that what they call it in Soviet Russia? "Mandatory volunteering"? :mhihi:

:lol: I was thinking of one thing and typing another. :o

You know what I meant. :rant:

[Brian]

all this draft talk has me thinking... I think it would be a good idea to require a draft for every war we decide to take part in... lend some gravity to the decision.

[Throtex]

all this draft talk has me thinking... I think it would be a good idea to require a draft for every war we decide to take part in... lend some gravity to the decision.

Don't you think that might be unnecessarily disruptive to the economy?

[Brian]

is that a trick question?

[Throtex]

is that a trick question?

Well, it just seemed like you wanted the gravity to come from putting draftees in harms way, not from something like putting the economy in jeopardy, which there's no need to do.

[Brian]

I know what you're saying... but I fail to see the correlation to a draft and harming the economy when history shows the opposite effect.

[Throtex]

I know what you're saying... but I fail to see the correlation to a draft and harming the economy when history shows the opposite effect.

Were we still a manufacturing-based economy, we'd be fine. A draft might completely disrupt our service-based economy. We really have no idea what a draft would do to us now.

[Brian]

so you're not sure that there would be an effect on the economy

[Throtex]

so you're not sure that there would be an effect on the economy

No, I have no idea, that's why I asked for your opinion. :lol:

We're a completely different country from what we were during the last draft.

[Adam_Schwartz]

Speaking of the draft...

By GEOFF EARLE

November 21, 2006 -- WASHINGTON - Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smacked down Rep. Charles Rangel's renewed push for a military draft before the powerhouse Harlem pol could even introduce his controversial legislation.

Newly elected Democratic leaders said they won't even let his proposal come up for a vote.

"The speaker and I have discussed scheduling," said incoming Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer. "It did not include" the draft.

Rangel hasn't had much luck with his draft proposal in a GOP-run Congress, and nothing's changed under Democratic rule.

The Pentagon strongly opposes the idea, as do leading congressional figures, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Pelosi also indicated Rangel's proposal was more symbolic than real. "Mr. Rangel has long held this position," Pelosi said. "It's not about a draft - it's about a shared sacrifice in our country."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11212006/news/nationalnews/rangels_draft_met_with_chill_nationalnews_geoff_ea rle.htm

[Brian]

not much written on the subject:

In a very large war, (such as WW2) raising a large enough volunteer military would require dramatic increases in taxes or budget deficits. In such cases conscription can have lower negative impact than the impact of these higher taxes and be more equitable. (Higher taxes would penalise those out of service much more than those in.) Indeed research into fiscal impacts of conscription in WW2 suggest a volunteer army raised to the same size would have had worse economic impact in terms of economic growth.

[Killer]

had there been an active draft you can bet your favorite senatorial sons and daughters the Iraq War would have never happened.

[Brian]

that's what I'm sayin... sorta... the status quo is somewhat unfair in that it doesn't send to fight a group of men that represent the population
just country hick boys and inner city youts

[Thunder Dump]

that's what I'm sayin... sorta... the status quo is somewhat unfair in that it doesn't send to fight a group of men that represent the population
just country hick boys and inner city youts

John Kerry knows what he's talking about.

[Brian]

it is what it is

[gabe]

mandatory service for convicts :ibhumanrights:

[Throtex]

mandatory service for convicts :ibhumanrights:

Brilliant! No no ... bear with me. We take penitent people on death row, strap them to some explosives, and have our own suicide bomber squad. :wired:

[mffdvr]

I'm reading Flags or our Fathers. I know all about the draft now.

<---expert.

:lol:

[gabe]

Brilliant! No no ... bear with me. We take penitent people on death row, strap them to some explosives, and have our own suicide bomber squad. :wired:

you got my vote

[Rye]

Is that what they call it in Soviet Russia? "Mandatory volunteering"? :mhihi:

Voluntold.