Should we have compulsory service (e.g., military draft) for all young people in U.S.?

I don’t know about a draft, but I like the idea of tying “free college” to an agreement to serve the country. I don’t mean serve in an “Americorps” kind of way, but rather in a military/infrastructure kind of way. It should be service that directly benefits the country in ways that rebuild our cities. 

But giving away college without ANYTHING coming back to the benefit of the taxpayers that underwrite it is simply absurd. 

Yes. And if military not their bag then it should be one year of compulsory community service. One thing Israel got right.

To me the point of making military service compulsory is to get everyone involved-so that the sacrifices and rewards are equally shared across the board. While I’m not sure about compulsory service I do think that every war should be open to be voted on by the American public with a draft system that limits itself to those who voted in favor of war. A military filled with anti-war sentiment isn’t functional anyways.

I am torn on this.  I know that I do not want compulsory service.  My adult life has seen only wars that I disagree with.  The idea that I and my loved ones would have had to serve in these wars is horrifying.  But I also have this feeling of how unfair it is that it is largely those with fewer opportunities and choices bear the brunt of war.  I could get behind compulsory service that is not necessarily military.

There is so much wisdom in the movie Starship Troopers, where those who serve are citizens and have enhanced privileges and those who do not are civilians.  We do some of this today in terms of funding education and health care, but both have become somewhat (or in the case of healthcare, extremely, dysfunctional).  Perhaps if voting rights were tied to national service (doesn’t have to be military per se but volunteering at the shelter doesn’t count) we would be in fewer wars that so many feel are pointless while offering a greater sense of national connection.

GenericEric, I guarantee if that were the case the VA would not be in the shape it is in.

I think we should make military service mandatory for all violent felons in prison. Think of it, they like to fight anyway, and if they’re killed it’s no big loss. It’s a win-win proposition.

One benefit of compulsory service is that a broader segment of society would share a common experience–something that may have benefited the WWII generation. And more people might be engaged in politics and foreign policy if they have a stake. But the costs in terms of foregone activities–work, school, and other things–would probably exceed any benefits.

Rich and/or influential people will find a way out if they don’t want to be drafted. Same as how those people find tax loopholes and such. So poor, regular people without connections will mostly be who end up doing service.