BEFORE ANY “PROGRESSIVE” LABELS me a warmonger” rest assured that drafting young men and women does not necessarily equate to drafting “cannon fodder.”
Back in the day, c 1960, all males had to sign up for “selective service,” a/k/a The Draft, when they turned 18.
Since Kennedy’s war in Vietnam was raging and Americans were dying at a horrible rate, many young males found ways to dodge (avoid) the draft. Some went to Canada. Some had enough family riches to keep them in college. Some named “Bush” and a large number of entertainers joined the National Guard, then a safe haven. (Times have changed.)
A few dodged the draft by enlisting.
Dodging the draft has been a fine American tradition since 1775.
This scrivener is not a war monger. I’d rather not war with or against anyone.
But I AM for compulsory service.
For several reasons.
By the numbers
1. Cuts the apron strings.
- Getting a child out from under the “protection” of an overly protective parent gives the young person a chance to develop his, or her, own personality, to learn and to take responsibility.
2. Accept challenges
- ”Boot camp,” a/k/a “basic training,” is awash with challenges, both physical and mental.
But boot camp can be tailored to the inductees. Not everyone has to be “combat ready.” A person with a mobility issue can still do many things within their capability. Running a 440 (yard run) or going on a 20-mile hike may be beyond their capacity, but appropriate physical exercise can be accomplished.
Getting up, taking care of clothing and other gear, making a bed, getting to Point A at the appointed time; these are things almost anyone can accomplish with a little bit of encouragement and determination.
3. Learn a skill
- Even though you may never use the skill to put food on the table, you never know when it might come in handy. Perhaps the inductee is on his or her way to college and has a pre-med or pre-law program in mind, but the service needs an auto mechanic. Later, as a famous doctor or lawyer, you might want to “tinker” with expensive cars or supervise the work of others. Never miss a chance to learn.
4. Give back to the community
- In some European countries with compulsory service, the troops are assigned national duties. In the U.S., National Guard and Reserve (as well as “regular”) personnel are pressed into service during and following emergencies such as hurricanes, wild fires, etc.
5. Develop leadership skills
- If a person shows potential — and depending on the branch of the service — promotions will bring more pay and more responsibility.
6. See the world — maybe
- Service men and women may travel to far off lands, or they might end up staying close to home. Some branches travel more than others.
7. The perks
- Although not as good as in this scrivener’s day — today’s pay is much better, but — there still are education benefits and a few VA benefits after discharge.
Not for everyone
There may be a few people who simply cannot manage sans custodial care.
Most, however, are able to do something for themselves and their community.
Autistics often have the ability to concentrate on a task non-autistics lack. The Israeli Defense Force accepts autistics and has found that in certain tasks, their work is superior to non-autistic soldiers.
Some people with limited mental capacity have the ability to perform repetitious tasks without being bored.
There are jobs for almost everyone, regardless of physical or mental limitation.
Not everyone needs to be a careerist, a lifer. Two to four years should be enough to cut mommy’s apron strings and to start a new life if a new life is desired.
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