General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]ljm2002
(10,751 posts)...but I STRONGLY disagree that military service should be the default.
It would have to apply to everyone, no exceptions, absent catastrophic disability.
One good outcome would be practical on the job training in all sorts of things -- construction, conservation, education, art, computers, social work, what have you.
Another good outcome would be a shared sense of "we're all in this together".
And yes, the military would be one of the choices offered. Then the military can go ahead and compete with everything else in terms of its ability to draw people into service. Surely with all the $$$ they have, they could compete. For example, they could still offer perks like paying for higher education, etc., if people enlist after the mandatory service period.