You think so? I served with some great guys - I also served with some complete goofs. The goofs were goofs the day they came in and remained so until they left (example: "shining" muddy combat boots with spray paint. Did not work, but the lumpy, shiny effect was interesting). Without a squad leader, or a platoon sergeant constantly standing on their necks, they had no discipline whatever. If there is no desire to better oneself, the military cannot issue one to you. I can only imagine this would be a vastly worse situation with coerced military service (barring a national emergency).
Furthermore, an obama-like administration would simply use the military as vast liberal indoctrination centers, a.k.a. re-education camps. I don't think instilling Republican civic virtues would be high on their agenda.
In a volunteer army you get a different mix than in a drafted army. Some remain goofs from boot camp to their discharge, nothing new there but in a conscript army, the some of the parts benefit and so do those individuals drafted. Come on, we all know this to be true.
The very idea of give and take, contributing to the nation and benefiting from the nation would be restored. A sense of individual, unit, service and nation pride would result AND upon discharge, they would look around his/her surroundings in very different fashion, with more of an appreciation and respect than he/she had before their service.
It is pretty simple and would improve the nation body better than it is today.