Mandatory Military Service in South Korea

n some countries, citizens are required to serve in the military for a year or more. The United States doesn’t enforce the same rules as them, but should they? People may think its cruel to make people join the military, some may say that it’s a good thing. So far there are only 26 countries that do so. The 26 that does so, does it for their safety. If everybody in your country had some military training, would that be good or would it go wrong?

For Korean men, two years of military service is mandatory. I served in the Korean army until 2014 August since 2012. As time went by in the army, I felt very uncertain about my future. Therefore, I wanted to challenge myself by trying new things. Fortunately, I was working in a special troop with the US army, so I had a lot of opportunities to speak English and experience American culture. Moreover, most of my American friends that I met there, recommended me to study overseas for my future.

During the Vietnam War, Americans were selected for military service by a government agency called the selective service. Those young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty six were forced into an involuntary process called the draft. Protesting against conscription or “the Draft” had always been a part of wartime America. Though for many citizens the Vietnam War would be the drawing line. Mentioned in What’s Your Number? an article written by Historynet, the first drawing of numbers using a draft lottery system to select who would and would and would not be drafted for the Vietnam War took place on December 1, 1969 (Historynet 2009). This marks the beginning of turmoil and uncertainty for those men born between the years 1944 and 1950

The Army exists for a solitary reason, which is to serve the Nation by defending the constitution of the United States of America. Our country places trust in the Army to defend our constitution against foreign and domestic enemies. It is our responsibility to preserve this given responsibility at all cost. American Forces returned from direct involvement in Vietnam and great majorities of Soldiers at the time lost credibility for their role in the War. Public trust in the Army was at its lowest. The priority after the war was to repair the trust in the Army, which eventually led to the All-Volunteer force that we have today. This action reinvigorated the Army and during that 20 year span of time the Army established itself as countries most esteemed

Post 9-11 military enlistment numbers spiked because individuals wanted to serve and protect our recently attacked country and our way of life. If individuals are forced to participate in a military campaign, the government will be relieved of one of the checks that help prevent them from engaging in unpopular or unwarranted campaigns.

Many people claim that conscription violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ act three, eighteen, and twenty. (“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”, ”Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”, “No one may be compelled to belong to an association”)

For the vast majority of our nation’s history, the United States has had an all volunteer military. During our nations over two hundred and thirty seven years, only about thirty five, most of which in the 20th century, was conscription or a “draft” was in effect. The United States, up until the Civil War, rarely kept nor desired a standing Army. Relying on individual state militia’s,

The United States has come a long way from the mandatory draft preceding 1973. The abolishment of the military draft efficiently resulted in a volunteer based enlistment. The U.S. has had no problem recruiting enlistees in past years (Thompson), yet confidence in our government and the unity of their democracy is at an all time low. The people do not feel like recognized members of the political unit, and this undermines the basic principles of maintaining a republic (Stengel). For a republic to work, it requires active participation of the citizens, in mind and body. Americans must take involvement in said government to remain free and have a voice in the matter (Kinley). If all participation is left solely to the bureaucracy, that constitutes

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy’s “human resources were stretched thin,” forcing the Japanese government officials to turn towards Korea for extra manpower. In 1942, the government-general of Korea (GGK) announced that twenty-year-old Korean men would be conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. To promote Korean acceptance of conscription, the Japanese encouraged assimilation of Koreans into Japanese culture and society. This included learning Japanese and taking on a Japanese name. The attempts at assimilation and the draft left Koreans wondering whether they would become full citizens or “remain second rate subjects” after the war. Even Korean soldiers, who were supposedly equal to Japanese soldiers, were left wondering about their position in Japanese society. Through an analysis of Kasayama Yoshikichi’s recount of “The Korean Guard,” this paper argues that Kasayama reveals the nature of Korean conscription in the Japanese Army. In doing so, this paper shows how Korean soldiers were forced to comply to Japanese official orders, otherwise they would be punished; although, some Korean soldiers resisted towards the end of the war.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook members of the U.S military, service maintains the U.S. national defense. The military is made up of enlisted and officer careers. They work with hi-tech machinery to help in the field. People in the military wear uniforms that show their ranks by badges. This job is so important because without the military people would be in danger and lives might not be saved.

Most people have, at one point or another, considered what they were going to do with their lives. Whether a person would like to become an activist, an artisan or a business professional, the military has something for everyone. Finding a path in life is often filled with uncertainty and procrastination. The United States military is a path in itself, should one wish to retire from it; however, should a person wish to make their own path, there are benefits for that as well that can remove all doubt and curb procrastination. Due to these many benefits, I believe that it should be mandatory for all adults to enlist for a minimum of twenty-four months.

The GI Bill also provides assistance with career advancement. Entrepreneurship training helps veterans start their own businesses, flight training allows veterans to become airline pilots, and funding for license and certification testing helps servicemen and women become certified mechanics, therapists, web developers, and attorneys (“Education Benefits”, 2017).

As many other countries mandate young adults partaking in the military for two years, the United States should follow suit. Many beneficial consequences would be rendered as a result of the increase in service. This would also be a great commencement into the real world for any young adult. These statements can be explored by discussing the benefits of free college tuition, disciplined young adults who are ready to follow orders, and the sheer power of numbers.

If the government were to try to force citizens into mandatory military service it would take away the people's freedom. Forcing someone to give up at least 2 years of their lives doing something they may not want or be physically capable of is a violation on free will. As well as infringes on the people's rights. In America our rights are our freedoms and by infringing on these rights they are trying to take away our freedom.

One of the most successful tools that the United States’ federal government offers is the armed forces. During 1973, the Selective Service publicized that the draft was finally over, giving American citizens a choice if they wanted to join the armed forces. After this announcement was made, the military decreased in size with millions of people not taking advantage of the benefits that the federal government offered. The military presents a plethora of opportunities for people during their active service, and afterwards in the civilian world. Mandatory military service will open doors for many Americans and present opportunities for poverty stricken families. Americans must take advantage of military service, allowing them to benefit from the opportunities it offers, developing a sense of patriotism for all citizens.