Mandatory Military Service

[DJ]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

What the youth of today needs/needed are parents that will instill good values in their children starting from a very young age and set the example by the way they live. Forcing them to serve in the military to *fix* their life-long problems is not the answer in my opinion. All we need is for one of these "troubled teens" to join the military and learn how to more efficiently shoot a gun.<br /><br />My opinion is that a lot of the problems are in the TV programs that are on. Even cartoons that kids watch is filled with violence. A lot of movies and shows on TV are filled with sex. One show in particular comes to mind, Sex and the City. Now I know that they cut out several parts of the show to make it "tolerable" for regular TV, but you still obviously know what they are talking about. What is this trash really teaching kids? Not good values, that's for sure.<br />

I agree, however "parenting" is a lost art, to too many. Liberalism took care of that.

 

[alden135]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by txswinner:<br /> I agree, old people should be fighting the wars, if they are killed you do not lose the future. Let the kids stay home and party.

You should run for Congress. You could sell your idea as a way to save Social Security.

 

[saxis]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

When I graduated high school I was considering joining. By graduation I had 2 injured ankles, 1 knee, a ruptured disk in my lower back and on top of it asthma. The recruiters would almost laugh in my face while talking to them. Mandatory service would've probably put me in a wheelchair the rest of my life, not to mention I wouldn't have met my wife or my little girl. Yep, at the ripe age to 23 I'm already an old man!

 

[CJY]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

DJ, are we going that route again?<br /><br />

I agree, however "parenting" is a lost art, to too many. Liberalism took care of that

One question, who raised the Bush girls? I do believe they have found themselves in trouble a few times. <br /><br />I guess based on my evidence, and your lack of it, it must be a conservative problem.<br /><br />John

 

[txswinner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Bush girls breaking a few drinking laws and getting a few free grades, Jena was not a regular in class at UT I know my daughter had more than one class that she passed without attending more than twice, DOES NOT mean the prez is a bad parent or President. that is no more important than NOT having a sexual relationship in the White House.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I'm all for a mandatory 2 years.<br />And if you re-enlist for another 2 they let you keep the M16 they issued to you and 500 rounds of ammo.<br /><br />I also love the idea of volunteering to serve when your older.

 

[Link]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by Skinnywater:<br /> I'm all for a mandatory 2 years.<br />And if you re-enlist for another 2 they let you keep the M16 they issued to you and 500 rounds of ammo.<br /><br />I also love the idea of volunteering to serve when your older.

I agree.. makes too much since in todays world.. of PC though..

 

[wilkin250r]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Me, personally, I like the idea of freedom. I like the idea of choosing NOT to join the military if I so desire.<br /><br />What if a war does break out, and we send troops? And what if some of those troops end up dead? I am as patriotic as the next guy, and I have nothing but respect for the brave men and women who fight for our freedoms, but I also don't believe in FORCING somebody to put their life on the line.<br /><br />Forced service is a bad idea, in my opinion. It won't cure the ills of society, all it really would do is remove yet more choice we have in the way we live our own lives.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Forced service is a bad idea, in my opinion. It won't cure the ills of society, all it really would do is remove yet more choice we have in the way we live our own lives.

A very excellent point wilkin.<br />How about if you're 19 and are pulled over wearing a seatbelt, then you have to report to the recruiter.

 

[robpoe]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I wanted to serve. Went to the 4 way recruiting station. They all looked at me and shook their heads "No". <br /><br />"Lose 60 pounds, son, then you can come back and join."<br /><br />Tried. Failed. Regret it to this day.<br /><br />If you serve / served then from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!

 

[Booner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I am retired military 21 years US army. Was a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood MO 1997-99. As for me I only want the willing and able. And southern country boys. "They can shoot". Society can keep all the potheads, high school dropouts, crybabies, sick lamb and lazy know it all teens. Did not have time for them then or now. When I was on the trail (Drill Sergeant) we had a saying "We cannot make up for 18 years of bad parenting in eight weeks".

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

It wouldn't be politically correct. But it was in 1967. Yes DO IT! 2 years or enlist for more. Just aching to see the DI's rip into the hip hop culture. Bet those knee crotch pants will be full of something not so nice smelling after the first "ATTENTION YOU TURDS!"

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

As much as I agree with the idea that military service and training are generally very good things for those make the choice, I think mandatory service would be a mistake. That would undermine the most positive effects of the all-voluntary force. Why make a social program out of the finest military to ever march?<br /><br /><br />-dd-

 

[20/20]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by Booner:<br /> . As for me I only want the willing and able. And southern country boys. "They can shoot".

What???? I am from upstate NY and had no problem out shooting good ole southern boys I worked on farms all my younger years {before the service}. I live in the Adirondacks{NY} now and have 2 children that can out shoot there cousins from Texas and Georga. Maybe I'm reading you wrong here but there are good folk no matter where they come from.

 

[Booner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

20/20 it’s not about how can out shoot how but should military service be a requirement for all. I say no. Not every one is cut out for the military. And the process too separate (CHAPTER) the individuals that cannot or will not conform to military standards, is very time consuming and costly. The second issue is that there would not be enough barracks space to house all the new soldiers, airmen, marines, seamen. The third issue is the impact would be a tremendous burden on the military communities, 55% of all soldiers are married that means they would require on and off post housing, schools and so on. The Military community that I live in is expected to grow by 30,000 in a few short years There is simply not enough housing, schools, or skilled labor to build the facilities that are required. We are seeing that impact now with all the units that are being reassigned from Europe and Korea.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

While I was an instructor, we had a class load of forced joins, "go-to-war-or-go-to-jail". It was very unpleasant. I also experienced throughout my time in the service people who were forced to join in order to recieve their trust fund money. They had to go in as privates, usually do at least 4 years, be honorably discharged. Oddly enough, those people did alright for the most part, probably because they had the big payday at the end.<br /><br />I am not sure if mandatory service would work. I fully agree that the military makes people who lack direction focus better, and gives them some real life experience. Kids who go to college straight out of high school are generally still kids when they graduate college, and are behind the power curve, wheras a person who does a few years of military service, then goes to college tends to be more focused, and actually goes to college to learn, not just to do all the things mommy wouldn't let them do in highschool. Most college kids are immature and lack direction, and leave college ill prepared for the real world.<br /><br />In the end, I think it should remain All Volunteer. That is what has made out military superior, and how it will stay superior....

 

[20/20]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Booner, I had copied what you had posted because it struck me odd. I believe you and I are on the same track I was just thrown back by the southern statement. I also feel it should stay voluntary for the same reasons you pointed out. Oh and by the way I was at FLW{fort lost in the woods} back in 87. I still feel our military is one of the best because of the volunteers. Wonder what it would be like if we forced all the 18-20yr old crack dealers into it???

 

[txswinner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Troops in Viet Nam were good troopers until it became obvious we were not there to win but to enrich Brown & Root. It was mandatory and yes straightened a lot of guys out. It gave others a chance. Showed them that they could succeed and staying on the block was not the only life style outthere.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Nothing wrong with conscipted soldiers. I was 18th intake (National Service) in '68, then a Regular.<br />Unsure of the '2yr bit, but to undergo a 14 week Basic Trg then into a territorial Unit: nothing but good.<br />Our Pl was a mixed lot. We had a lot of avarage blokes with about 25% from the margins of society. <br />Those i remember<br />2 came from wealthy backgrounds, 1 never had as much as washed his undies in his life.<br />1 had a doctorate (could delay service if at Uni) in Maths. Little bloke, physically hopeless.<br />2 had done serious jail time<br />1 had been kicked around from foster family to foster family.<br />It was a real shock to all of us.<br />The basic rule was, any activity was not finished until the whole Pl had finished and we soon learnt to drag the weaker along with us.<br />It changed all our lives and we were all the better for it. We became a very tight knit unit. <br />The Dr Maths guy was absolutely hell on the navigation and when it came to laying artillery and mortars etc, instructors us to ask him to check their workings. On the 12 mile route jogs we use to share his gear among us.<br />It was a probably toughest time in my life, and most rewarding and i got to know guys i would never have met otherwise.<br />There was no *****ing at the end, just pride.<br />When a Regular, use to hear the snide remarks about the National Servicemen, but as my father use to always say to me, "it's the conscipts that do all the real fighting in all the real wars". <br />Service is a strange thing. If you havn't been there, you will never know. Probably shouldn't have said that.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

naval officer here. personally think it's a terrible idea to have a mandatory service enlistment.<br /><br />do you want to be treated by a "doctor" who was forced to become one? think about it.<br /><br />this country needs more than just a strong military. we need 18 yr old kids going off to college. we need 18 yr old kids headed to the workforce doing countless jobs and professions. they all are important to a strong country and society.<br /><br />the military is a choice and should be one until we absolutely need to force membership. with technology constantly improving and our military shaping their forces to be smaller yet more capable, i don't think we'll ever need a draft again. and if we do, the world will have some serious problems.