Would two years of mandatory public service (military, police, fire fighter, etc) for all men and women help close equality gaps in the US?

2017-06-16T21:41:25-04:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 9:47 PM

2017-06-16T21:47:52-04:00

There was a video someone posted here a while ago that stated the biggest reason for the "equality gap" between genders regarding finance was that more women preferred job fields that simply didn't pay as much. I think it makes sense. Social workers and teachers don't make nearly as much for the effort required of them.

To answer your question, I say "no". Most of the issues we have in the US today result from too many people only caring about themselves and the government trying to regulate too much. Nevermind the select few that want to give all power solely to the government.

Be the change you seek, lead by example, teach your kids selflessness, and make the most of the power you have now.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 16 at 2017 9:50 PM

2017-06-16T21:50:25-04:00

I would support mandatory service, or public service... nothing to do with equality... just it's the right thing to do.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2017 10:04 PM

2017-06-16T22:04:37-04:00

It sounds good in theory, but I would not want to force someone to spend two years doing something that they do not want to do. I would like schools and parents to teach children what it means to be an American. With our freedoms is a responsibility to be good citizens of this great nation.

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jun 16 at 2017 11:24 PM

2017-06-16T23:24:54-04:00

Alright, so if I'm reading you right, you're asking about two years in any public sector service position, be it military, federal service, civil service (emergency services, state or local service, DPS, etc), USPS, and such? Possibly extended into public education? I think that might actually be a good thing, honestly. You'd have a plethora of positions that people would have to fill, but could be selective on what interests them in order to meet that requirement. I wouldn't go as far as saying mandatory service in the military as some countries do, but to fill those lower paying but vital positions wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea.

However, I definitely don't want it to go all Starship Troopers, "Service guarantees citizenship" deal.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 16 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-06-16T23:28:10-04:00

I was in an Army full of draftee's. It wasn't that different. No one would hire you until your draft status had been dealt with. Most guys I knew "pushed their draft up" being moved to the top of the list. Being an NCO or Jr Officer it was a challenge, but they were as good in combat as I have seen. It seemed that leadership broke down after Tet. Bodycount and tonnage no hadn't proved anything. They were losing ground in Vietnam Laos and now Cambodia. A standing Army of two or three million is what we need. Special Ops won't help against a Tank Corps

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 17 at 2017 12:13 AM

2017-06-17T00:13:48-04:00

I think this concept is a lot like Communism -- hear me out, Major -- sounds great in practice, but in a human world, with human driving factors, it'll never work. Someone will ALWAYS want to be head of the communal combine, will ALWAYS want to hold the communal purse strings. Same thing with this -- you'll get people that don't want to be there, and so will look for ways out. I think a better plan would be to offer SIGNIFICANT incentives to do so. For example, did you know that the government loans more money per year for college, than it would take to actually pay outright for college? So, maybe instead of saying 'you MUST serve', say rather, 'if you do serve SUCCESSFULLY....you're entitled to 4 years of college.'. Or something similar.

Response by SGT Jonathan Farber made Jun 17 at 2017 12:25 AM

2017-06-17T00:25:47-04:00

No! As a matter of fact I believe it would have the opposite affect the financial future of the people. Setting aside state and federal costs. All training and experience up to two years would be the standard. There for worthless to job seekers once a certain percentage of the population completed their mandatory service. Following in the wake of high school diplomas, two year, and four year degrees as another general job requirement.

Response by SSG Chris Watson made Jun 17 at 2017 1:15 AM

2017-06-17T01:15:55-04:00

When I was in, I was very glad that everyone standing next to me was also a volunteer. That said, there were plenty of volunteer shamers and slackers. I would hate to see what the ratio would become if service became mandatory.
In my area, volunteer firefighters get free community college. One can choose to enlist and get the benefits of the GI Bill. To that I think we should add a Peace Corps version of the GI Bill.
Mike Rowe's foundation has scholarships for people interested in skilled trades (http://profoundlydisconnected.com/scholarship/) and there are a ton of scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans for people to pursue more traditional academics.
There is plenty of opportunity for people who are interested.

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Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 17 at 2017 1:55 AM

2017-06-17T01:55:38-04:00

Sir,
I don't know nor do I really care about an "EqualityGap" HOWEVER...I believe that two years of MANDATORY SERVICE, to be served BEFORE a single dime of taxpayer money goes toward the education of an individual, two years of service BEFORE a college application can be accepted would do two things that this country desperately needs.
1: Increase the Maturity Level on college campuses across the nation. They had to work too hard to get there...Rich or Poor...to waste it on Beer and Bong Resin
and Most Importantly
2: Destroy the "Attitude of Entitlement"...You EARN that education because the taxpayers do not owe you shit for just being born.
One year of free Education for every year of approved Federal, State or Community service.

It will also have a couple other side benefits. Kids would no longer enter the workforce book smart but common sense stupid, weighted down with thousands of dollars of student debt. It will teach the next generation that there IS something more important than their little, sensitive snowflake ass. Want a great leveler? Let the child of the CEO of Bank Of America serve in the Marines as a PRIVATE to EARN College and a CHANCE to be an officer, not just jump into ROTC with a 1.5 GPA because Daddy is a billionaire...OR if he is too sensitive to serve in the military, let him empty bed pans and wipe some grandpappy's butt in a nursing home for a couple years to LEARN that he is NOT special to ANYONE but his mommy.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 3:17 AM

2017-06-17T03:17:25-04:00

Probably not. Though... I would like to see people get yelled at and told that regardless of their Civilian bs that they are all equally worthless meat sacks.

Response by SPC Richard Alldredge made Jun 19 at 2017 11:26 AM

2017-06-19T11:26:04-04:00

Yes it would

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-06-24T18:49:08-04:00

I think it should be mandatory, but then nothing. You get turned out into the real world like everyone else.