Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Ben's Question about serving your country
Do you think everyone should have to do some stint in the military--also called called "Call to Service"--where everyone does at least two years to serve the country they live in? What do you think are theadvantages and disadvantages of this idea? If such a program did get implemeted, would you want requirements on when people would have to serve their two years? Right after high school? After college? If you don't support the idea of mandatory military service, why don't you? Would you support some other kind of mandatory service toward the benefit of the country? Thanks! Ben
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18 comments:
I believe that a small amount of your time should be spent serving your country. I dont mean that everyone should go off and join the military because I was a military brat growing up and there were several advantages and disadvantages to it. I was able to meet many new people moving from place to place. There were many different experiences that i would have never been exposed to if I wasnt a military baby. One thing that was kind of hard about my dad being in the military was that we were constantly moving around from place to place. I wasnt big on change and making new friends gets more difficult as you age. I dont think that style of life is right for everyone. What some people dont realize is that you can serve your country right here on the home front. If you work in a military hospital, you take care of wounded or sick soldiers and may not ever have to leave the country. I dont know how long that a person should serve in the military if it isnt thier choice, but i wouldnt mind working in a military hospital or something like that for a year or two.
Bridgette Overmyer
From Debra Porter:
I've never thought about this topic before, but I think it's an interesting one. I will admit that if I was very alone in this world, I would more than likely join the military. I just couldn't pass up the oppurtunities to travel the country-world, and make friends and meets tons of people doing it. But right now, I know that in my situation going into the military would never work out.
I believe that the two year thing might be a good idea. If it became law, there's nothing really anybody could do about it. But I would be happy to serve my country for 2 years. Like Bridgette said, in a military hospital. I'm sure everyone would want to stay in their own countries, but if I had to leave to a different country, I would just have to deal with it. It would be much easier if communications with family members were readily available too.
If this went into effect, I think that anyone over 18 would be required to do the two years of service. Anyone younger than 18, wouldn't be able to. With that, most 18 year olds are out of high school. As long as the person is 18 and has their HS diploma, it wouldn't matter to me when they had to serve. But some restrictions could be if people are paralyzed or have certain diseases that could make them exempt to serving. Depending on the disease, maybe their serving time could be cut down, but not totally eliminated.
My answer is yes and no. I think this would be a good idea, because it would help solve the problem of not being able to recruit enough people to serve our country, however it would not be fair to require everyone to serve in the millitary because some people have strong belief systems that go against fighting and war. I do believe that those people could greatly serve our country in many other amazing ways. One great example was mentioned by Bridgette, she said she wouldn't mind being a millitary nurse. I do believe that the age should be at least 18 years old, I am saddened by countries who put guns in the hands of children. I think that it would be better to require that you serve immediately following high school before you start a family. My heart goes out to spouses and children who have to be separated over such long periods of time. We all are priveleged to live in our country,so i do agree that we would greatly benefit from all working together in some sort of service for our fellow mankind.
I personally don't like war however I am thankful for the brave men and women who choose to defend the freedom I and so many others enjoy, so I would be one of those people volunteering my service in some other creative way.
The 8:24 pm answer (yes and no) was from Jan
maybe by the 14th time, I will remember to put my name on a comment! sorry!
Of course i agree that everyone should do something to support our country, and military is an excellent way to do so. But i dont think the military is for everyone. I dont think anyone should be forced into military service, except for a draft in an emergency. I guess part of being a free country is that you dont HAVE to serve it, even though i think you should in some way, if you have any respect for the way it works.
the 7 19 comment was Blake
I believe everyone should have to serve the country in some way or another. Whether it be military or some other type of service, everyone should have to help in one way or another. The advantages are that the government will never fall short of people and have to do a draft or something like that. A disadvantage is that it would take all the people out of the civillian sector and move them in to the military sector. This could hurt employers that employ teenagers and other high school graduates. If a period of service was required, I'd recommend that it would happen after the person graduates high school. I don't think 2 years would be a good term. I honestly think that people should be able to perform the service in short periods or when needed. Taking 2 years out of some peoples lifes will change them in ways they do not wish to be changed.
Just some of my opinions.
Jeremy Lamb
I do NOT think any person should have to serve 2 years in the military if they don't want to. Guys have to be registered for the draft anyways, they don't need to go in and serve right when they get out of high school. A lot of men want to move on, get a career, have a family,and you couldn't do that right away if you had to go serve. If women are included that isn't right because many women aren't strong enough to just go and fight for the country; how many women do you see inrolled in the military. Plenty of course, but also not too many. The advantages of having people serve would be that everyone could be ready if we did end up having a draft, people would know how to fight, and not just go in cold turkey when it was time. If this did end up required I feel that people should have to serve RIGHT after high school. If they served after high school they would be younger and could handle more, wouldn't be ruining their life once they got it started, and could have a life after their 2 years. If they had to serve after college, their chance of getting a good career, starting a family, and they wouldn't do that right away, then they would be too hold and it would just be hard starting a life after that. I don't think anything should be mandatory for our country. We have the military for a reason. If people want to be in it; they will be in it without being told to.
Sonja
I believe that this is a very interesting question. Contrary to the other comments I have read, serving the military should be somewhat of an honor. I also believe that it is not for everyone. Maybe if certain guidelines were in place, the military could weed out individuals deemed non serviceable. Wait, they do that now. In the end, I'm sure that some individuals what excercise whatever resources they have at their disposal to get out of serving-- just like George W. Bush did for Vietnam.
James Johnson
From Stephanie Einck:
I don't think everyone should have to serve in the military. I think it is a decison you yourself have to make. I think that some people are more fit for the military than others. Me personally i know i would never join the military. I would not be able to do anything, i wouldnt want to be a nurse, i wouldnt be able to take all the blood and wounds. I think that making a requirement will piss people off and they might be out there just doing it to be doing it, not caring, and that could hurt you bad. I believe if a person wants to go into the service then let them, i dont think this is a situtation in which you can force others into making. Some people have strong beliefs about war and fighting in general, and they shouldnt have to. I know that no one in my family has had to serve and i really dont think any of them want to. I am not a huge follower with war and what is going on, i dont follow it and i really couldnt tell you anything that has happened. I guess i just dont really care. I mean i feel bad for those families who do have people over fighting for our country, i couldnt imgagine if that were me. I would be so scared all the time. I am happy they are putting their lives in danger in order to protect our country. We wouldnt be here today if no one wanted to fight for our country. I do appreciate all they do for us.
I think that people should use their own judgment to decide if they are best for war or not. I think that you shouldn't be forced into doing something if you dont want to do it.
I will agree with this once we are unable to fully staff a fuctional military in this country. Our country pays and treats our soldiers very well and they should because they deserve it. I think that once the volunteer program doesn't work that we should go to this system. It wouldn't be the end of the world for everyone to serve 2 years in some capicity. After all we all get to enjoy the freedoms in this country day in and day out so we can all give our thanks back to good uncle Sam. I also believe that would be a good idea because I believe that a draft would just cause problems in this country. The other nice thing is 2 years and your done and maybe you can get credit towards college and things like that.
Dan Berger
No I don't believe that anybody should be forced into serving the country if they personally don't feel like it simply because they have there reasons. There aren't any advantages to me because if somebody doesn't want to serve the country then they won't do what they are required and might end up doing something they aren't suppose to do. The disadvantages are that they might died in war. So they died for serving their country which they didn't even want to do. I feel if you don't want to serve in a war then you shouldn't hae to. Me personally don't support the whole war thing at all. I just really don't care I just don't think somebody should have to go fight a war that they don't want to. I would only support something that is going to help people like maybe everybody should have to donate somebody to some kind of chartiy at least five times a year. And it doesn't have to be a big donation.
Edwidge Philizaire
As an honorably discharged veteran, I think I have earned the right to say that No, I do not think there should be mandatory military service. It should be an individual choice, whether someone wants to join the military or not. Isn't that what this country was founded on? The right to individual freedom and choice? I went into the military voluntarily fresh out of high school. That age is way too young. But that has always been the way, hasn't it? I have been on both sides of the fence on this issue, and I think that forcing people to join, is no better than some of the other countries we've been at war with that force their people into service.
Stacie Carlson
From Barb Beals:
I think everyone should be called to serve their country for at least 6 months right after high school. That way they can earn some college money, and make better people in society. If someone decides to quit school they should serve the equivalent of what they would have for the rest of their high school years plus the 6 mandatory months. If they have a physical handicap they should still have to do something even if it's making ammunition. Unless someone is profoundly handicapped, they should serve their country.
I think it would be a good idea for everyone to serve their country for two years. Advantages would be, everyone is giving back to the country the live in, and they would have to experience of it all. The disadvantages could be, that a lot of people would have to leave behind family and friends, and that would be a hard thing to do. Especially if it is required. Children would be without thier mothers, not to say that that isn't happening now. I think it would be a good idea to have a time frame for the service. After college might be a bad idea,because that is when most people want to start their lives, have families, and get their careers, etc. After High school, would probably work better for the majority of people.
Caitlin Parker
As a decorated combat veteran of two foreign wars, I can confidently say that I think it would be in the best interest of this country to implement a "call to service". Other developed countries use this as an option to their young people to serve their country in some way, shape, or form. Community service based upon hours served is another option.
Obviously there should be limitations. Can this person function effectively as a member of the military, physically, mentally, etc? Is this person currently and successfully working towards a degree or trade? In this case, the person should be able to continue to pursue his/her trade/degree without interruption.
I think the benefits far outweigh the adverse effects of serving your country for at least two years. You tend to take less things for granted. Most reenter civilian life with a greater appreciation for what they're doing in life and how great this country really is. Furthermore, their workplace benefits by having an employee who has the discipline and self-pride to show up on time, take pride in their job, and display a keen sense of attention to detail which is severly lacking in today's civilian workforce. Believe me, I see it everyday.
What people dont understand is that serving the military doesnt necessarily mean carrying a gun and going to combat. Many military members work jobs similar to their civilian counterparts and go home every night to their families. In addition, 2 years of your time is hardly a lifetime of service that many of these brave young men and women freely give every day. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice. What have you given your country, the one who allows you all the freedoms you have today? Never again will I have the same feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day like I did during my 6 years of honorable service.
Other misconceptions are: "All military members are alone in the world." Not quite. Many have families and loved ones back home. They just felt compelled to do something meaningful with their life, in service to their country. The military is, in my opinion, the strongest family network in the country and perhaps the world. Nothing matches the comraderie and fellowship of miltary members and their families. They help each other out no matter what.
Misconception #2: "At the age of 18, young men sign up for the draft." What draft? There is no draft. Its called "selective service". Its an accountability process and is by no means a fullfilled requirement of serving the military. Using that rationality makes it seem that every man in the country at the age of 18 is fullfilling his military requirement. Thats an uneducated statement.
In closing, I think this is a very good idea to implement some sort of term of service. The benefits are enormous and its only 2 years of your life. Plese, take the time to thank whichever God you believe in and this country for the rights you have as an individual, but thank a military member and/or veteran for giving you those freedoms that you enjoy each and every day. Most of you take these things for granted because you only know what you hear from teachers and watch on TV. The world isnt such a forgiving place. Being part of the defense of this country is probably the best thing I've ever done and I'd encourage a mandatory period of service if I had the chance to do so.
James Bates
Everyone that lives in this country or any other for that matter should be required to service their coutry in some manner for a specified time. What we have now is a situation where less than 1% of our poulation ever serv es in the military. That single figure shows how out of balance the values of our population is. It also promotes a situation in which the poorest of the population generally arre the one serving and taking care of the wealthy.
Advantages of a must serve program would be that our population may not take for granted the kind of life that we have to the extent that they do today.
Abig disadvantage is that a draft type of military tends to be of a poorer quality than a volunteer military. If we placed people properly then the quality would be know problem,but, corruption within a draft system is always a problem because the wealthy generally are given preference to the " non combatant jobs" and thusly we end up with the poor still taking care of the wealthy.
I personally feel that a mandatory service system should be in place for our population immediately after graduation from high school. After a 2 year service requirement our college freshman classes would then be populated by much more mature people who would appreciate being in school and do much better in preparing themselves for the rest of their lives.
When congress did away with the military draft system, a cousin of mine protested this move in a speech he made to congress. General Bernard W. Rogers told congress that they had just made a grave mistake and that it would create problems far beyond the scope of the military. Bernard was at the time a member of the joint chiefs of staff and I trully believe he knew what he was saying and history has proved him to be right.
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