What is your opinion on Mandatory Service?

I would resign if conscription were to become law. 

There are many valid points discussed, and as in every military operation we must step back and evaluate the goals of this discussion. Is the goal developing a better quality or a better quality society? My father enlisted in the marine corps in 1958 at the age of 17. He was high school drop out and was getting into much mischief and he did the same in the corps. As many Marines of his and generation it was always said a marine is not a marine until he had his first set of office hours. He left the corps a little older with a little less fight, or should I say more directed energy. He ended up with his own tractor trailer hauling cheese and refrigerated good cross country bringing wine and beer back. Was able to provide for us very well. I joined the Marines a good student back in the early 80's and there enough guys around that were there with options. "join the service or go to jail". I served 4.5years as a first Sgt of a National Guard infantry and Combat Engineers units, and your right no one wants trouble makers in their units, but we all get them. Good solid NCO Corps will ensure trouble makers are well supervised and the military is very good at this direct repair of imperfections of actions executed by its members. Today's society we are locking people up for 2nd offence drunk driving at a far less blood alcohol level when George bush got one in 1972. We are locking up 18 year old men for getting caught having sex with their 16 year old girl friend. This all adds to our tax burden and potentially pull very productive people out of the work that may have slipped a bit. Personally, mandatory service? in time of war yes, economic class not excluded, peace time no, but working with DA's and the courts around the country I think service could substitute for jail time providing the military with the fighting spirit every combat leader likes see. This could create a better society with minimal if any effects on our fighting forces, brave young men and women that guard the gates every day.  

MAJ Jason Miller, Conscription served our Nation and the world very well, thank you.

Until the nay sayers - I do not want to serve the military/nation movement was aroused during the Vietnam War, all was well. Now, America has a mercenary we can ill afford. Today's military is well trained, professional and are paid to serve. But, it is not representative of America as the draftee military was. America's might should be tempered with the blood and sacrifice of all. As I read the RP posts about the sacrifices made in the last 20 years, I am appalled. Sacrifices like this should be made of our nation for our nation and shared by our citizens! Rights demand sacrifice; by all who enjoy those rights!

Mr Hayden I see no connection between the wars we are fighting and the rights of individuals at home. The greatest threat to our freedoms without exception, is our own national debt.

I cringe at the thought of that ,Sgt! 

CPL Wambolt, Thank you for YOUR Serivce. Those who came before Paved the way for the rest of us.

However, the original question posed addressed some sort of service obligation, not necessarily military. Other service opportunities are available, which would still make the military branches volunteer forces, as it would be voluntary for the individuals that chose it, even though it may come down to the military being the lesser of several evils, in some folks mind. Military service isn't the only type of civil service that could be mandated to fill a requirement for ages 18-25 to serve their country for a 2-year minimum, especially since many of our 18-25 year old wouldn't meet the standards to be eligible for military service, although I'm sure there are some that feel their Call of Duty scores and standing would definitely put them in the running for SF assignments... :)

You are entirely right about the validity of the concept, but the unfortunate thing is that we here in America lack the recognition of the need for service before self and personal sacrifice for the greater good as a cultural convention. Other countries have strong compulsory service requirements honored as a right of passage among their youth but their society demands a greater contribution to the whole than we do. Might be a sad commentary on how we as a society view service to others. Good post.

Senior I don't think it's unfortunate that there are people who don't think they owe years of their lives serving the government.  The best thing most people can do for society is to do whatever they are best at.  If freedom isn't our goal what is, Nationalism?

Actually, we live in a Republic under democratic rule. Not the other way around. The concept is good, but implementation would be impossible. Unlike some countries, ours will always grant some sort of exception and those exceptions will be for the wealthier demographics. So similar to the draft, it's the poor who are called and the rich stayed home.

However, I truly believe anyone who wants to be a politician needs to stand a watch. If you're going to be responsible for sending our military into harms way, I believe you should have first hand knowledge of what that actually means.

Before the current run of President and political appointees, most politicians did some sort of service.

Presidents with NO military service. I wonder how many people born since the start of the Clinton admin even recognize any of these names other than Clinton and Obama...

Barack Obama
Bill Clinton
Franklin Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Calvin Coolidge
Warren Harding
Woodrow Wilson
William Taft
Grover Cleveland
Martin Van Buren
John Q. Adams
John Adams