[arthurus]

A universal male draft done right would be great. I think every male sometime between the ages of 17 and 19 should be drafted, excepting only for medical and some judicial reasons should serve 6 months rigorous basic and infantry training with no deployment to station in that time. Perhaps it should even be under some other authority than direct military in command structure but should be run by military personnel. Perhaps enlistment in the regular military should be banned for a time period, 3 or 6 months maybe, after completion of the draft training. Such a system would not disrupt career or educational paths as it would be universal and it would preclude the college age frantic opposition to draft, war, and the military in general. One reason for the opposition to draft and wars is the fear of going into the military and its unknowns. With that training universal, the country would have no problem recruiting when it is necessary to fight an actual war because most will have lost the fear of the unknown of military life and would have some familiarity with it and would already have some essential training. The attitude toward enlistment would be quite different generally.

[RedStateRocker]

I think Robert Heinlein had it right: The military should be volunteer, but unless you serve you cannot vote, hold office or any government job.

No one should be forced to serve (I tried to enlist three times but was rejected for hearing), but if you aren’t willing to serve you shouldn’t have a say.