Should we create a conscription program like South Korea has?

2015-01-12T12:05:37-05:00

Their conscription program makes it mandatory for all males between 18 and 35[1] to do compulsory service for their country. The amount of time they serve is based on what they do- Army, Navy, Airforce, Civil, etc.
I often wonder if we should have a program like that for America. Men and women between 18 and some higher age should have to serve our country for a period of time. They could do work in the national park system, civil work within the city conduction area beautification, or join the military. The obvious problem is funding this, but I think if we had the mass of bodies that this would provide, not only would our younger generations be more physically fit, they would feel more appreciation for what we have in America. The physically fit derives from the idea that they'd be doing something involving moving around, not sitting in an office on Facebook/youtube/whatever.
What are you thoughts on this?
[1] - http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2f2012%2f8%2f25%2fsports%2f2012-08-24T112349Z_1_BRE87N0FS_RTROPTT_0_UK-OLYMPICS-SOCCER-KOREA-MILITARY

The Star Online

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-01-12T12:23:45-05:00

Yes, SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I think we can - and we should - have such a program in the USA. I've been an advocate of something like this all my life. It requires people, citizens and wannabe citizens, to give something back to this great country that has given us all so much. First and foremost among those would be freedom and prosperity. As I look around the world and see the lack of freedom and the brutal poverty, I'm struck - again and again - how blessed I am to be an American. And that's why I think we should ALL give something back, whether it's in the military, a hospital, a park ... I'd go so far as to say we almost owe some sort of service to our great nation.

Remember JFK's great quote: "Ask not what your country can do you, ask what you can do for your country." I think it's still relevant today, maybe more than ever.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-01-12T13:18:20-05:00

I read an interesting book a few years ago that postulated a system where military service was not mandatory to live in the country, but was mandatory for full citizenship (the right to vote and run for office). It's an interesting idea, but I think limiting it to the military would exclude too many groups (those not physically fit, those with moral objections to violence, etc).

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member's idea, on the other hand, expands the duties that meet that obligation to include any form of government service. Park work would satisfy those who are fit but object to violence, civil service behind a desk would be ideal for those not able to physically meet the requirements of the military, and so forth.

I think this would be a good idea. I definitely agree that it would tend to instill a greater appreciation for our country, if only because people tend to take pride in (and ownership of) anything they've personally invested in. I should think it would also improve our voting rates, as an additional benefit.

I disagree that it would improve the fitness of our current generation, though, simply because so many government jobs are desk jobs.

Of course, there remains the problem of funding. I think that this idea would partially reduce funding needed for the country's welfare programs, both because it gives everyone at least a couple of years of work, and because (since the service is early on in life) it would tend to instill a better work ethic than currently exists in a portion of our population. It certainly wouldn't eliminate the welfare program entirely, though, and additional funding for this program would need to come from some other source. Not sure what the answer there would be.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jan 13 at 2015 2:02 PM

2015-01-13T14:02:09-05:00

Absolutely ...

Every able-bodied citizen of this country should be required to perform some type of public service, whether it be military service or some other form, as mentioned in the original question. There should be no exceptions and should not be restricted to males.

Response by LTC Marc King made Feb 4 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-02-04T13:38:31-05:00

Making the case for Universal Military Conscription / National Service.

Many of you on Rally Point are too young to remember a country where all qualified military male over the age of 18 years were required to serve in the military. Now before you jump me, extolling the outstanding performance of the all-volunteer force – allow me to make my case. In 1966 when I enlisted in the Army we were a force of volunteers and draftees designated “RA” if you enlisted and “US” if you were drafted.

We were also a force of significant racial, economic, religious and geographic diversity. Meeting people from all parts of the country, rich guys, poor guys, high school drop outs and college graduates; training with them, exchanging barracks talk with them and learning how to be a team in basic training with them provided an experience that would remain you for the rest of your life. Even in today’s force of volunteers this type of cultural exchange is still experienced so I’m not addressing this to those of you who have benefited from such an experience but I want you to consider what the impact is across society on all of those who have not had the experience, the exchange or the exposure to something other than their Face Book page and “World of War” X-Box video game.

You can sense that there is something being lost in the country – the late night shows interview young people on the street who cannot identify a picture of the Vice President, they don’t know who we fought in WWII or how the first president of the United States was… In 1966 we all knew the Chain of Command – a picture of the Commander in Chief hung in every barracks and office building in the military and there was a quiz… and even if you “did not want to be there you got the lesson and then you moved on – but you got the lesson and 2 years later when the enlistment was completed and 20 years later when discussing the experience with your grandchildren – you still remembered. You remembered your General Orders, the serial number of, what was for many their first weapon. You remembered the first time you spoke to an African American from Yazoo, Mississippi, a surfer from California, a cowboy from Montana or a Jew from New York. You shared ideas, cultures and thought on religion. Sometimes you did not agree and from time to time someone threw a punch – but you were all soldiers and when the time came to standup for each other that is exactly what happened.
A great deal of time was spent on the rifle range, everyone fired their weapon for qualification and learned gun safety on the process. Perhaps if that was still the case the paranoia that grips the country regarding gun control would be less if everyone understood guns better.
So the case is for universal conscription – we have progressed since 1966. Woman have a very different role in society today than they did in 1966. Service to the nation is no longer in the sphere of males only. Women contribute and women should serve right alongside the men. Today’s laws regarding registration need to be changed to require women to register as well. And then we need to return to the business of requiring all eligible men and women 18 years old to serve the nation. No deferments, no buying your way out, school can wait till the service is completed – and we would also see a lower dropout rate at the university level. Education comes in many forms and a tour of duty serving the nation imparts great wisdom – technical skills, a lost art in this country, serves to satisfy the wonder lust for travel to different and exotic places so when you return concentrating on a life skill such as formal school seems a great deal less arduous. Been there – done that!
A better educated, more well-rounded citizen – a citizen who understands civics and who and what the nation stands for – having served, who can appreciate as you do the special opportunities that United States offers. Imagine if you will a society where all can say “I served” – I think we need to rethink our approach. What do you think?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-03-30T09:24:44-04:00

No, we do not need to waste money on training every 18 year old in our country. If we get into a huge conflict that we can't handle with volunteers then yes by all means have a draft.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-03-30T11:06:18-04:00

Interesting. One part of me says yes because every single able body person should do something for their country wether joining any military or public service... But the other part of says no because what kind of persons would we get if they are being told they have to be" forced" to serve? Would the be the same reliable individuals or would they be something worse? Some that cant be relied to hold a weapon or something much worse? Im iffy on the subject

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 24 at 2015 2:21 AM

2015-04-24T02:21:27-04:00

I think some kind of minimum service --- not necessarily military --- should be required.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 2:54 AM

2015-04-24T02:54:06-04:00

I do not believe a service requirement should be used in this country. I believe it would destroy the military. It would then be filled with thousands of junior enlisted that have no desire to serve their country. It takes heart and detication to serve. If this was made a requirement commanders would have a tremendous amount of articles and chapters to issue daily.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 4:03 AM

2015-04-24T04:03:35-04:00

No, no, NO, NOOOOOOO. Absolutely not!!

Hard enough to motivate and control the ALL-VOLUNTARY military as is, imagine how abysmal it'll turn should everyone be drafted.

Think Vietnam.

Let the low-lives remain low-lives and learn how to motivate themselves. Let the patriots and lovers of this country serve without being forcibly thrown into same pot with low-lives, such as in communist regimes

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made Apr 24 at 2015 4:24 AM

2015-04-24T04:24:52-04:00

Absolutely. It would add structure, discipline, experience and pride in what I feel has become a listless and irresponsible attitude that prevails among our younger generations. In addition if the time arose when we needed a larger military force at least our people would have some experience to fall back on.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 4:51 AM

2015-04-24T04:51:16-04:00

On the one hand, there's a plethora of experiences that are most likely to be had through the way the military operates. Horizons broaden and such while serving. At the very least, you'll encounter people with different backgrounds and ideas. It's a very good thing.

On the other hand, we have better morale and discipline (such as it is) with an all-volunteer force. Our situation as a nation is not one that necessitates conscription at this time. That's not even considering the cost of such an endeavor - and we're a nation that balks when it comes to spending money on troops (materiel is another matter).

I'm finding myself inclined to lean towards the former: that we ought to return to some form of conscripted service. I think a single mandatory term would - in the long run - be of better benefit to the nation than not.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 5:20 AM

2015-04-24T05:20:37-04:00

Speaking from my experience in Korea, I don't think that mandatory service is a good idea. First, the Korean soldiers are paid about 100 dollars a month. I doubt that our government would be able to give a decent pay to soldiers if every young person was required to serve.
Additionally, there are a lot of dirtbags already in the military. Imagine how many more unmotivated undisciplined, uncaring, criminal individuals would be introduced into our ranks. This would be a serious problem in my opinion.
On top of that, I have seen what its like to be forced into service. I feel that morale is important and there is little to no morale in the soldiers that are forced to be here. The military would have a hell of a time dealing with tens of thousands of unmotivated soldiers with no morale.
and to top that all off, if you have more Indians, what else do you need? More chiefs. This means we'd need more NCOs, more officers, and more civilians.
As nice as it sounds to implement mandatory service for all of the united states' youth in order to instill more discipline, I really just dont see it being a good idea. But please, if you dosagree let me know why. I'm open to other perspectives!

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 24 at 2015 5:54 AM

2015-04-24T05:54:02-04:00

I was just considering asking this so it's nice to see I am not the only one thinking about this. As others have stated I feel service to country is important but I see this not only Military but all service. Appreciation of the freedom provided by this great nation as we continue to grow.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
Emma Lazaru

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 24 at 2015 7:46 AM

2015-04-24T07:46:40-04:00

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2007/RAND_MG265.pdf

For those interested in a long read.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 24 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-04-24T09:38:59-04:00

I'm thinking that unless every Mother and Father in the US has the same amount of skin in the game we will be fighting forever wars.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 11:04 AM

2015-04-24T11:04:44-04:00

No, I'd much rather see mandatory customer service/food service required than military service.

If people didn't join, and were forced to participate in the military, Many simply wouldn't.
Send a non compliant person to Basic. Do push ups, run, etc. Nope. Oh I'm gonna get Article 15ed and lose half my pay. So what I'm 17 and have no bills. Are my 2/3 years up yet?

It would destroy morale, and unit cohesion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-04-24T12:08:02-04:00

I agree that we should have a conscription program for our young citizens.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-05-11T08:20:34-04:00

I just read this and I favor a requirement to serve our country before reaping the benefits provided by those that do. BUT, not in the military where that service can be life or death to others. I have a few observations.

1. We never required everyone to serve in the military. We required them to register for the draft, but many avoided being drafted or their number simply did not come up.

2. We should not require that people serve before going to college. But, going to college should not void the need to serve.

3. We had quite a few volunteers who volunteered solely to avoid being drafted into another branch.

Response by CN Rickie DeFehr made Jul 30 at 2017 6:10 PM

2017-07-30T18:10:30-04:00

That, or Peace Corps