Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Military Service

The United States of America is the nation with the largest, most powerful, and most funded military. The United States has been known to commonly get involved with other nations purely based off the fact that it is militarily capable. In the past the United States has had to implement several drafts to support the military’s need for more troops. The question is, in this day and age, would it be acceptable for the United States to order a national mandatory military conscription to fuel the military? There are always those that are exempt from military service, as well as those who cannot be exempt which increases the gap of inequality which will harm some more than others. Due to evidence presented in previous conscription efforts, possible

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?

Some Americans would even find it too much to have the Draft in place because they feel it is going against their rights as a civilian let alone being told they have to go cater to a group they may have something against, in the end things should be kept the way they are and volunteers should just keep up the good work.

“...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This

When the government gave this questionnaire, only 6 percent answered that they would volunteer to serve in the Army. However, many responded that they would volunteer if they would have their rights restored to them, because they felt that it was unfair for them to have to fight for the freedoms that were being denied them.

“Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."

The Constitution never directly permits a “draft” nor ever explicitly states allowance of an even older term, “conscription,” although it does sanction "raise and support Armies" which is an indirect acceptance of the same concept.

Absolutely, positively, emphatically, unequivocally, without a doubt, NO! Not now, not ever! Well, maybe for one reason, in the event of an existential threat to our nation. Now that I have stated my opinion I will back this up with information from several studies providing evidence for continuing the worlds greatest all volunteer (entry) military force.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln was forced to begin drafting. Many people complained that it was unconstitutional. This was the first mandatory military recruitment in U.S history. There has been two more drafts since Lincoln had the first one in 1863. The argument most people have about drafting is, “if it is right?”

John F. Kennedy said, “War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.” The idea that a soldier would refuse to participate in war due to their moral and conscience beliefs shows how they can overcome the norm and stand up for their beliefs. Until watching the movie Soldiers of Conscience I was unaware that a soldier could break their contract with the government to follow their own personal views. Although this is a difficult and tedious procedure if a soldier is found to be a conscientious objector they will be dismissed from the Army with dishonorable discharge. To become a conscientious objector, the soldier must fill out an application and be interviewed by a psychiatrist, chaplain, and investigating officer. This process takes a long time and requires that the soldier has a strong belief in not participating in war.

Having mandatory national service implies that every young person between ages 18 through 25 will be required to give back to the country through some type of national service. This includes the Military, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other nonprofit organizations. It does not necessarily involve preparing for combat, nor risking a life, but helping those in need, making the world a better place by taking care of the environment. Everyone should have the obligation to serve. John F. Kennedy ones said, “A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. Today’s military rejects include tomorrows hard-core unemployed.” Meaning that national service is something every citizen should be a part of. After all, it provides young adults with strength and pride of their country, as well as training in the career they are leaning towards. (Kennedy)

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This is a famous quote said by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy when he was getting to take the oath of holding the potential position during the Inaugural address. This quote has been an inspiration of an unaccountable number of American lives.

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).

In todays society the war in the Middle East can be considered a controversial topic. The men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan put their lives on the line every day to help keep our country free. No one has forced them to serve in the United States Armed Forces they have made their own conscience decision to serve. However these men and women only make up a small percentage of the United States population. Should all men and women be required to serve in the U.S. armed forces when they graduate from high school or should the United States require mandatory military service?

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.