Drafty: Barn Door, Cracked Window

Copyright 2010 Ben S. Pollock

Now that the Republicans have done so well in the 2010 elections, they should use their momentum to enact the next sweeping measure for our time: Universal conscription for all American youth. A measure of Democrats would support this as well.

Reviving — and broadening and updating — the draft solves so many national problems it deserves serious consideration.

All Americans on their 18th birthday would register for Universal Service: They could choose either military or civil, serving domestically, in another country or on the high seas. Aptitude tests would help guide choices. They’d have to serve an 18-month stint before their 30th birthday. Completing college or other education before or after the term generally would be the individual’s choice. Re-upping and career options in their core would be options.

Boot camp would be required for all, though its requirements vary according to the core. All basic training would include their core’s specifics, and life skills and self-defense. Life skills include health and money management. Self-defense includes weapons training, because ignorance is dangerous, even though after basic, civilians could not carry sidearms or other weapons while they, for example, tutor in English-as-a-Second-Language or build overpasses.

This compulsory service would include all the Armed Forces, including the various guard and reserve units, as well as AmeriCorps VISTA and the Peace Corps. Except in times of dire emergency, so ordered by Congress with the president’s signature, young people would choose their core. In crisis, young women and men might have to satisfy their terms in the military as needed.

Conscientious objectors would serve out their 18 months in non-military capacities. Young people with mild to moderate physical or mental handicaps would not be exempt, but accommodations will be made for them. Disabled youths could be trained and work in appropriate jobs, and boot camp would be adapted to special needs.

Conscripts would be paid and health insurance provided. Participants in the National Service would be educated in savings plans and strongly encouraged to invest some of their service earnings in both ready savings and retirement funds. Adaptations of the GI Bill, Veterans Affairs and similar benefits would apply to those who receive honorable and perhaps general discharges from the new, universal, military and civilian service.

Broadly, youth from poor families would have an extraordinary opportunity to learn discipline and be exposed to opportunities for education and skilled jobs they might not have otherwise. The middle class would find their outlook broadened and alternatives expanded.

Such a proposal shouldn’t come from a fifty-something fellow who’s had lots of opportunities and never seriously considered enlisting for the military. My parents pushed me to excel in high school to get into a good college and from there to graduate and pursue a career with growth potential. Well, I’m in newspapers so two out of three isn’t bad — then again, in 1980 and 1990 and maybe 2000, newspapering looked rosy if never lucrative. Thus, if I get downsized, AmeriCorps even at my age is worth investigating.

When I recall my 20s, though, I planned really hard and hit most of the right spots on the proverbial career chart yet overall felt largely lost, personally and to some extent professionally. It took years for me to find my footing, and I don’t know if how things ended up three decades later was the best way life could’ve turned out.

But if registration for National Service had been compulsory in 1976, I expect I would have matured faster and likely would have made better early choices from the discipline and rounding received from sharing in building the country, defending it or serving as a civilian ambassador to developing nations.

I believe this because the people I’ve been most impressed with over the years usually turn out to have been military veterans or Peace Corps alumni. (I don’t believe I know any former VISTA volunteers.) As a rule, neither appear to get ruffled by stress and seem to make good decisions smoothly. A 21st century universal National Service would be great for the country and good for the individual.

This proposal is partly based on the likelihood that the “War on Terror” is a perpetual war that by its definition cannot end and cannot be won — but needs to fought with each battle won. Another broad factor is the years the nation needs to recover fully from this economic downturn, the Good Depression. Putting young men and women to work for the good of the country should speed fiscal recovery. Last and certainly not least are the benefits young Americans can gain from serving their country.

There’s so much talk of non-Americans or new Americans taking jobs away. We can put our young people to work building wind farms and solar farms, as teacher’s assistants, or military personnel.

Brick readers might ask if this proposal is real or if I’m kidding. Rather than labeling it sincere or a put-on, for me it’s a thought-experiment. Let’s put this ball into play and weigh its ups and downs. Then swing, batter. Maybe the sooner Universal Service happens, the less likelihood a compulsory, military-only draft would be demanded.