Let politicians risk your life for their stupid schemes and their glory?
I would never risk my life for government.
Read the book. Frankly, it was the first science-fiction book I ever read, other than some ERB, and it hooked me good.
The deal is, you have to volunteer, and you can quit whenever you want. You just never get a second chance to serve and earn the franchise.
Even in the middle of a war, you can quit. No one is ever drafted.
I’m not saying it would work, but I think it is an interesting idea.