I do have reservations about America having a large standing military. I know that the Constitution requires us to maintain a Navy and raise Armies. I do not think that the military life is for everyone, and that compulsory service could, and should, include alternative service options. I also understand that a draft hasn't gone over all that well in American history.
Regardless of my concerns I think we should seriously consider starting a draft. My reasons are below the fold.
When I say draft I mean everyone (I'd like to see both sexes serving) serve for 18 months to 2 years after their 18th birthday. No educational deferments, exemptions for physical or mental disability only, and the people in excess of those needed by the military can do other public service.
I want to focus on the military part of this, but I wonder how many positive things, for education, research, or public works, could be done with such a program.
Since I spent over twenty years in uniform, my opinions regarding military life aren't purely hypothetical.
We spend a lot of money and time recruiting and retaining soldiers. Moving those resources to other uses could be a combat multiplier
Being a liberal in the military certainly put me in the minority. That is part of the problem, I think. The self-selection of an all volunteer force is much farther to the right than the general population. I'd like to see it represent our nation as a whole better.
I remember taking a senior Army captain to a college town and his near apoplexy at the PFLAG booth at the street fair. If you're that limited within your own culture how well will you deal with people in entirely different lands?
Many senior officers are aware of the problems with morale and discipline in the drafted Army of the Vietnam era. They'd much rather deal with a more homogeneous (and not homosexual, but that's another issue) group of troops. Fortunately our military has a historically accepted it's subservient role, answering to civilian authorities. Tell them to suck it up.
If you don't actually live in the military life, or near a post, it's easy to have this subculture be almost invisible. It's easy to see service members as an mercenary force, not part of one's family. If everyone has someone they love in uniform I think they're less likely want to see them in harm's way.
Doing this could eliminate the chickenhawks who are willing to ask of others a sacrifice they were never willing to make themselves.
For whatever reason, many people in this country don't even bother to vote. They feel no need to do their civic duty. Knowing that there is a obligation to your country could inspire a greater interest in all parts of being a citizen here (no, it's not a Starship Troopers scenario, public service and military would count the same).
There is general agreement that our nation is terribly polarized. I think that everyone having a shared experience, of military or public service, might help heal this situation. If any Red Stater could share a funny story from basic training with any Blue State kid, give them some common point to start a relationship, it could be a step toward a culture where our discourse is more civil.
I know the reality: doing this would be extremely complex and politically unpopular. I know I'm once again is the minority on this, but this is supposed to be a place to express my opinions, and that's what I've done.