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Should serving in the U.S. Military be mandatory for U.S. citizens?

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Originally posted by: ironwing
No, aside from the Constitutional questions, I don't want the military distracted by having to deal with a bunch of folks who don't want to be there.
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All the officers commanding those troops that don't want to be in the military thank you for your statement.
 
Not necessarily the military, but 2 years of civil service of whatever type you have aptitude for before being allowed to vote wouldn't hurt.
 
I voted yes, but I don't mean it in the traditional sense. I'd like a system like Switzerland or Italy have, where every citizen has to serve, but not necessarily in a combat role. The Swiss have compulsory training and pretty much a gun culture, since just about every citizen is issued a weapon "just in case" something happens, basically mobilizing in the event of a threat. The Italians require some sort of service, either combat, support, or administrative.

It'd be a pain in the ass, but if it were required of everyone, employers would just be used to dealing with the interruption. Plus, every citizen would be trained and ready, just in case.

I know that if I had the opportunity to get trained, but only be called up in the event of an attack on our homeland, otherwise serving as needed in my areas of education/expertise (IT and law), I'd totally go for it. As a private citizen, I like to think I'd be somewhat ready if needed, if another country invaded us, but I definitely haven't had the quality of training that the military would provide. But I do own a former Swiss issue Karabiner M1931 (K31 for short)! I can't believe how nice a rifle it is for the price I paid, $100 a few years ago. Hard to find now.
 
Originally posted by: txrandom
No, US doesn't need that many people in its army considering our population. Mandatory boot camp and basic training lasting a couple weeks may be a good idea though.
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This man is exactly right.

There are three things that every US citizen should do, preferably before they turn 30.

1. Serve a term in the military, any branch
2. Work in retail
3. Work in fast food

An individual that has done all three will be less of an asshole.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: txrandom
No, US doesn't need that many people in its army considering our population. Mandatory boot camp and basic training lasting a couple weeks may be a good idea though.
Click to expand...

This man is exactly right.

There are three things that every US citizen should do, preferably before they turn 30.

1. Serve a term in the military, any branch
2. Work in retail
3. Work in fast food

An individual that has done all three will be less of an asshole.
Click to expand...

I like people who think just because they had to do something crappy everyone else has to do it too.

I had my share of nonsense to deal with it, but I don't wish it upon anyone else.
 
I voted yes and here is the honest to God's truth why:

The majority of people are growing up with no sense of responsibility or accountability. Going into the military would help with that. Parents are afraid to be parents, so let a drill sergeant do it for them.

I was one of those kids. I grew up thinking that I was all kinds of special and that my shit didn't stink. At 30, I am just now learning how the world really works. I wish so badly that I had enlisted when I was 17.

It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
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Defend from whom?
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
I voted yes and here is the honest to God's truth why:

The majority of people are growing up with no sense of responsibility or accountability. Going into the military would help with that. Parents are afraid to be parents, so let a drill sergeant do it for them.

I was one of those kids. I grew up thinking that I was all kinds of special and that my shit didn't stink. At 30, I am just now learning how the world really works. I wish so badly that I had enlisted when I was 17.

It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
Click to expand...

If you truly wanted to defend America you should have drawn arms against Bush and his cronies. By far a bigger threat to us than any other nation could have been.

Point being, joining the military alone doesn't teach you to defend the country. That takes education and moral fiber, something the military knows basically nothing about.
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer


There are three things that every US citizen should do, preferably before they turn 30.

1. Serve a term in the military, any branch
2. Work in retail
3. Work in fast food
Click to expand...

So give a person advanced weapon training and then let them work in retail? Yeah, no way that could possibly go wrong.
 
Originally posted by: JMapleton
Originally posted by: NSFW
It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
Click to expand...

Defend from whom?
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Whoever we are at war with at that time.

I can't seem to think of a time during my life that we weren't at war with someone...
 
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Originally posted by: NSFW
I voted yes and here is the honest to God's truth why:

The majority of people are growing up with no sense of responsibility or accountability. Going into the military would help with that. Parents are afraid to be parents, so let a drill sergeant do it for them.

I was one of those kids. I grew up thinking that I was all kinds of special and that my shit didn't stink. At 30, I am just now learning how the world really works. I wish so badly that I had enlisted when I was 17.

It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
Click to expand...

If you truly wanted to defend America you should have drawn arms against Bush and his cronies. By far a bigger threat to us than any other nation could have been.

Point being, joining the military alone doesn't teach you to defend the country. That takes education and moral fiber, something the military knows basically nothing about.
Click to expand...

Everyone had the right to vote him out of office if he was that bad.

I can't say what the military knows/doesn't know about. I just know the good I have seen it do for my friends.
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
Originally posted by: JMapleton
Originally posted by: NSFW
It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
Click to expand...

Defend from whom?
Click to expand...

Whoever we are at war with at that time.

I can't seem to think of a time during my life that we weren't at war with someone...
Click to expand...

However, we have not had a legitimate war since wwii. Just because we're at war that doesn't mean our country is in danger.
 
Originally posted by: JMapleton


However, we have not had a legitimate war since wwii. Just because we're at war that doesn't mean our country is in danger.
Click to expand...

I think about that a lot. I wish the pres would have to officially declare war before we attack/invade a country.

I wasn't saying that I was in favor of any of these wars...just that it seems like we are always fighting someone.

Rome V2.0?
 
Originally posted by: NSFW
Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
Originally posted by: NSFW
I voted yes and here is the honest to God's truth why:

The majority of people are growing up with no sense of responsibility or accountability. Going into the military would help with that. Parents are afraid to be parents, so let a drill sergeant do it for them.

I was one of those kids. I grew up thinking that I was all kinds of special and that my shit didn't stink. At 30, I am just now learning how the world really works. I wish so badly that I had enlisted when I was 17.

It would also teach the kids some patriotism. Lil bastards seem to take verything for granted including their country. Put them on the front lines with a rifle where their choice is to defend their country or GTFO.
Click to expand...

If you truly wanted to defend America you should have drawn arms against Bush and his cronies. By far a bigger threat to us than any other nation could have been.

Point being, joining the military alone doesn't teach you to defend the country. That takes education and moral fiber, something the military knows basically nothing about.
Click to expand...

Everyone had the right to vote him out of office if he was that bad.

I can't say what the military knows/doesn't know about. I just know the good I have seen it do for my friends.
Click to expand...

Yes, but that too requires education and moral fiber.
 
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