Mandatory Military Service

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

A lot of todays youths view the words "Patriotism, Democracy, Freedom and sacrifice" sad to say, as merely buzz words, they grasp not the true definition and deep feelings that those words mean to those who have served their country.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

txswinner, your right that the marines do what you mentioned. However the majority of the marines are trained in many different trades. I have to admit that they do the grunt work, but they keep their planes and weapons maintained as well. <br /><br />I would say that the majority of the youth of today join to get training. I joined in the Navy in 74 to become an electronics tech. Then while in there I also trained for other areas as well. I use those skills today to provide for my family.<br /><br />As for a mandatory enlistment, yeah I'm for it mainly to teach the youth to take care of themselves without mommy and daddys support. Teach them the basics, keeping organized, learn how to do laundry, learn how to maintain proper hygene, be responsible for their actions, and best is to learn respect for their seniors beit civilian or military. BUT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!

 

[DJ]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I like the idea of an all volunteer force. Those motivated-go, those that are not-don't.<br /><br />However, that has it's shortcomings. It seems that the "don'ts" get into political office (e.g., "60's" US haters) and cause all kinds of havoc.<br /><br />My plan is simple.<br /><br />1. Have REAL borders.<br /><br />2. Open borders to all that will become citizens and contribute.<br /><br />3. A strong military, as a defense. All are welcome, only the best fight. They will want to. Class, is not a bad thing-in the military. For those that exit, they all served. Good enough for me. They showed me something.<br /><br />4. Spread freedom and prosperity, throughout the world. Freedom, is a powerful magnet.<br /><br />With all that said, I need to clarify, "citizenship". Citizenship doesn't mean cross the border and drop a baby, it means becoming a CITIZEN. No more cache's of foreign speaking groups that have NO intention of becoming Americans. <br /><br />If I want to move to Spain, I have to learn the language. If I want to move to Germany, I have to learn the language. Why can't we hold the same rules/standards? It worked fine, for my great grandparents/parents.<br /><br />What changed?<br /><br />Liberalism, entered the picture.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I think at the very least every person regardless of gender or disability go through a 6 week training course about the military. Sort of a light duty boot camp.<br /><br />EVERYONE must do it, no exceptions.<br /><br />Ken

 

[CJY]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Good idea Ken. I can get behind that one. Something like the tv show on last night - brat camp. I would like it to be tougher though.<br /><br />Drowned Rat - please read my entire post. I do not agree that any person is expendable. Rather, in the eyes of the well to do, politicians, etc., we are expendable. Afterall, we are not their blood. <br /><br />John

 

[rosco_59]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

"Patriotism, Democracy, Freedom , todays juveniles have no concept, they think it is a given. Never was and never will be, one day they just might find out the hard way. I got my draft notice at the ripe age of 19, I wrote to my draft officer and told him I would be very happy to stop in and talk to him when I return home from Viet-Nam. I got no reply.

 

[Twidget]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I like the idea of a volunteer military. <br /><br />I would change the rules to read a 2 year lengtht of service with an honorable discharge would be required for full citizenship. Full citizenship being the right to vote, run for public office or serve as a mid/high level government job.<br /><br />If someone didnt want to do the 2 years or got a less than honorable discharge, the would still have all their other rights.<br /><br />I know its nutty, but it makes sense to me.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I was drafted and consequently spent four and a half years in the army, mostly in live fire combat situations and 17 years with reserve duty up to 70 days a year.Unless the guy next to you is motivated to be there, I would rather not have him around.Dead weight under fire is deadly.Should girls be drafted? Now there is every soldiers dream come true.Nothing is half as nice as coming back to base and be welcomed by a women who cares about you.<br />One real good thing about the draft is that it makes the melting pot bubble again and if a "people's" army is created that way,it might very well help America become a more unified country,simply because everybody went through this same experience when they were young

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

yingling, no problem, I know what you meant.

 

[IBFishing]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Ok, gotta chime in on this. I don't agree with making it mandatory to serve in the military. You should have a choice. We live in a country where we have the right to make our own choices.<br /><br />I myself am 26 years old, so I'm not that old yet. I do not think serving in the military would have made me a "better" person, especially if I was forced to join. I give everyone the respect they deserve. I guess you could say I was one of those "good" kids. I found no interest in going out and partying and drinking and all of that stuff.<br /><br />What the youth of today needs/needed are parents that will instill good values in their children starting from a very young age and set the example by the way they live. Forcing them to serve in the military to *fix* their life-long problems is not the answer in my opinion. All we need is for one of these "troubled teens" to join the military and learn how to more efficiently shoot a gun.<br /><br />My opinion is that a lot of the problems are in the TV programs that are on. Even cartoons that kids watch is filled with violence. A lot of movies and shows on TV are filled with sex. One show in particular comes to mind, Sex and the City. Now I know that they cut out several parts of the show to make it "tolerable" for regular TV, but you still obviously know what they are talking about. What is this trash really teaching kids? Not good values, that's for sure.<br /><br />I may be way off-base with this reply, and if I am, I apologize for my ranting, but I believe that this post was started because people think mandatory service will make someone a better person. I agree that with some people, serving in the military gives them a greater respect for people. But with people that has had a certain disrespectful mindset for all of their life, forcing them to serve in the military may give them a worse-off mindset. I will probably get negative replies on my reply, but this is my opinion and only an opinion.<br /><br />p.s. I have a great respect for the people in the armed forces and I greatly appreciate the things they do for this country we live in.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

With my idea EVERY person would learn respect for the military. My idea would be half classroom military history, techniques, etc, and the other half light combat training.<br /><br /><br />I dont think everyone should be in the military. Like others have said, you dont need the dead weight. But EVERYONE should at least experience it, so they could learn to repect it.<br /><br />Ken

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by txswinner:<br /> Hey Lube Dude, You and I could not own our cool bass rigs on a soldiers pay either. Up to E-3 is under poverty level.

A lot has happened, water under the bridge so to speak sense I was in the military. Oh, by the way, I drove a 1968 Big Block Corvette my last year and a half of military service. Might just as well had a Bass Boat. Chasing women back then, not fish.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Some peoples price for freedom comes at a higher cost. Alot of good ideas here. How about some sort of service in the va hospitals or therapy centers? I was getting drafted so I elected to enlist in the Marine Corps.In boot camp we had about 8 non citizens. One was from Italy, the rest from Mexico. It always stayed with me the fact that look what they were willing to do to become Americans. It's a shame some people are just born to it and think its a God given right.

 

[Link]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Ive got to figure out how to delete a double post from a SLOW Puter

 

[Link]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by rolmops <br />-----------------------------------------<br /> One real good thing about the draft is that it makes the melting pot bubble again and if a "people's" army is created that way,it might very well help America become a more unified country,simply because everybody went through this same experience when they were young <br />-----------------------------------------<br /><br />You just said a lot there. <br />Could not agree more.. well said<br /><br />6 year draft! Men and Women, No Exceptions for anyone. Want to go to college, fine, do it while in the reserves at the same time. <br />I think everyone should be drafted at 18 go through basic and advanced training. At the end of 6 years in the reserves then they are done.<br /><br /> And only Military Doctors make the call for physical or mental exceptions. <br /><br />OH I have a wife and two kids (at 18??) And cant afford the Military.. Back OFF JACK! A E-3 married in the Army now makes about just less than $3000.00 a month. (And deserve it IMO) So we are back to:<br /><br /> And only Military Doctors make the call for physical or mental exceptions. <br /><br />It would also improve the Military in other ways also. After awhile everyone would have gone through the same process. Even Doctors, Lawyers etc in the Military.. they all started out as privates at one time.<br /><br />Plus after about six years... this country as Rolmops said would be united again.. ever get a bunch of vets sitting around BSing.. <br /><br />Sorta like Boaters.. even if your not boating now we still share things in Comman.<br /><br />Congrats Guys and Gals here on iboats (and I really mean this) for once on a "touchy" subject there were no fights etc..<br /><br />My thoughts on the subject<br />Link

 

[txswinner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

It appears this thread shows there is a tremendous support for the military. That said it also is evident that we do not put much faith in our leaders Rep or Dem.

 

[20/20]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I am a vet and I do agree somewhat that service should be done for 18mths-2yrs. There are lots of reasons for this as other posts have pointed out. The 1 and biggest reason I am against this is because our government allready has to much power over the people, why give them more? Also our military is 1 of the best because it is a choice {folks want to be there}, what happens when we make it a law? My opinion at this time would keep it voluntary, lets not open a can of worms that we won't want in the future. I agree kids need to be taught more respect, but this needs to start with parents, maybe we should throw them into military service?????

 

[oddjob]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by alden135:<br />

Originally posted by ErikDC:<br /> I don't mind the thought of pothead, anti-war protesting, hippie wannabes quivering in their boots on the front line

ROFLMAO <br /><br />Fun thought until your next to them.

They make great bunkers and serve as decoys before they get promoted to a bunker.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

I agree, old people should be fighting the wars, if they are killed you do not lose the future. Let the kids stay home and party.

 

[rwise]

Re: Mandatory Military Service

Originally posted by txswinner:<br /> How about it, make everyone serve for 2 Years after 19th birthday, if not mentally incompetent, or totally physically disabled then no deferrments. That means no deferment for football knees, college, religious (non-combat status medic or other front line duty just no gun, and women get to go also.

I'll just say no, and leave it at that.