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Nope. LBJ started a program that allowed (nee "encouraged") people with criminal records, no high school education and low test scores to enter the Military -- called "Group IV" I think -- and also allowed draftees in the Navy in 1969 - 1972 time period.

We got some real losers who became big trouble makers -- recall the "race riots" in the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Constellation in 1972/73?

Big mistake, because the boot camps were not allowed or encouraged to weed these bad dudes out of the service. They wound up in the Fleet, and created a lot of havoc.

Many of those who made it through boot camp subsequently wound up in the brig, or got "less than honorable" discharges" as a result of their inability to get along with their shipmates. Bad scene all the way around.

Robert Heinlein advanced a theory that in order to vote, a citizen had to have served in the Military. That is a concept worth exploring, IMHO. I would add that in addition to Military Service, certain other "public service" jobs could be added to Military Service to qualify for voting privileges. HST, being a bureaucrat would not be one of the "other" qualifying public service jobs.

Back to my original point: I think four to six months at MCRD San Diego or MCRD Parris Island would be a good experience for all 18 year olds. The sort of disciplined approach to their duties the US Marines instill in their young men and women would result in a net benefit to the society.

But that is just my humble opinion.

I was totally unaware of the draftees. The lax rules allowing criminals and such to serve was, IMO, a way to make up for the loss of draft pool that the student deferments (of the influential class) caused. A draft should be universal, not selective, to be effective. Even most of the 'physically unfit' should be requried to serve (one of my high schools football stars, an all around athlete, was considered physically unfit and got a 4F).

Back to my original point: I think four to six months at MCRD San Diego or MCRD Parris Island would be a good experience for all 18 year olds.

I agree about universal military training for all men in the country. It would, IMO, cure most of the social woes we seem to be suffering. I'm not sure the Marines should have to put up with them though. They're a pretty exclusive service. The general population mixing with the Marines would quite likely end up lowreing the standards of that service.

Robert Heinlein advanced a theory that in order to vote, a citizen had to have served in the Military. That is a concept worth exploring, IMHO.

Heinlein also had their ability to vote not start until AFTER they left the military. I like the idea too. I especially like the idea of having as many volunteers as possible going thru the military, from the viewpoint of having lots of civilians with military training. A middle class with lots of vets would be fairly stable and hard to intimidate with threats of "give us what we want or we'll riot in your neighborhoods"