[MelonFarmerJ]

I've always believed every male should serve a minimum of two years in uniform

Mandatory military service is a tax. Two years out of, say, a 45 year employment career, equals a 4.4% tax. Not substantial, but still a tax.

Mandatory military service can hinder or derail one's career path. It causes a loss of momentum during the prime formative years of an individual's life.

Mandatory military service can be an instrument of mischief for those with their hands on the levers of power. Apart from Vietnam being a Kennedy & Johnson war (good conservatives, no??) what would have been the upshot in Nam with only a volunteer army to wield?

Under the threat of being drafted, I served almost 2 years active duty in the Naval Reserve in 67 and 68, and my shipmates and I were not "Rodney Richpigges". We were mostly Average Joes who made the best decisions we could at that time, decisions that would allow us to keep some modicum of control over our lives. I will not apologize for doing this. As the son of a Pearl Harbor career Naval officer, I deeply respect everyone who has served, especially those who saw combat.

One last thought: In reading this thread, it keeps coming back to me what continuing damage the disaster called the Vietnam War keeps inflicting on this country.

[ketsu]

Mandatory military service is a tax. Two years out of, say, a 45 year employment career, equals a 4.4% tax. Not substantial, but still a tax. Mandatory military service can hinder or derail one's career path. It causes a loss of momentum during the prime formative years of an individual's life.

I agree that you need money to provide for your family and that you only have a finite amount of time to create that wealth for your family.

However, I think you are discounting the effect that military service can have on an individual's character.

Military service, especially in regards to the lack of self-discipline and moral weakness of today's youth, provides the foundation of a disciplined life dedicated to service to family and country. Service teaches you dignity and service, attributes that individuals sorely need, not just for themselves, but for society in general.

Those benefits should not be discounted.