I know I am going to get flamed for this, but so be it.
I personally think Charlie Rangel is a total jerk, but I have to agree with him on this one.
I don't see any harm in taking an 18 year old right out of school, and putting him to work for 2 years in government service.
If you notice it did not say military service, but rather some kind of service be it civilian, or military. Let them build infrastructure, help out with natural disasters, or if they choose, let them become soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
Give them the same kind of benefits, i.e. help pay for college. It will at least give them and opportunity to get out from under mommy and daddy's wings and have to learn to deal with life, learn some responsibility, and maybe just maybe give them some direction, other than street gangs and crime.
I am sure not all of them will learn these lessons, but if it helps just 10% then we have done some good.
Who knows, it might even give them some pride in their country.
I'll come to your rescue. I also believe that 2 years of national service after high school would be beneficial to every young American and would benefit the country. Singapore has such a system and it works great. EVERY male upon getting out of high school goes into the military, police force or fire department for two years prior to being accepted in a university. In the US it could be any number of "service" organizations. Maybe even some of those jobs Americans won't do but millions of illegals would. How about border patrol?
Such a program would grow kids up quickly and make a more serious college student. It might even help break some of the welfare/crime cycle that seems to trap so manny inner city kids.
One one level I agree with you, but the professionals who
run the Armed Forces don't want any part of it.
From my own time in the pre-Volunteer Army I recall the
"FTA" attitude problems, racial unrest, drug use, indiscipline, and outright insubordination.
We need an effective army more than we need a socially
correct one.
Compulsory service instills pride of country? Somehow I doubt that. As to why not, how about because it's a free country and we shouldn't be slaves to the gubmint?