Mandatory military service in the US

[RiverDave]

But what are we going to do with 8 million 18-20 year olds? Seems more like socialism at that point since military personnel would then need to take over civilian jobs.

Lol why would you say that?

 

[hallett21]

It is happening now. My nephew got out of the military 10 weeks ago and he was suprised how lazy the young men were. He said the ladies worked a lot harder and did not complain like the men.

I agree 100%. I can name on one hand the men that out earn the women in our friend group. 35 and younger.

Just not convinced that putting these individuals in the military would change anything.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

Do you think your son who served was already predisposed to discipline and having their shit together which is why he was drawn to the military? That seems to me like it could be a chicken or the egg type situation ya know?

Hard to say, I just really enjoyed what our son was after 16 weeks of Marine boot camp and I have never seen anything close to that level of maturity, respect for his parents, respect for his country, chivalry, etc., from our other boys.

 

[hallett21]

Lol why would you say that?

Granted this was a fast google search. But basically the stats are roughly 21 million 15-19 year olds and 21 million 20-24 year olds. So dividing by 5 and multiplying by 2 is 8 million ish....

What are we doing with even half of those people? We gotta pay those salaries one way or the other. I assume they would need to take over civilian jobs at some point.

Like I said this is a mostly light hearted convo on my end. Hope it comes across that way

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

So many parents don't know how to raise a good child, it might not be a bad idea...

One of our major attractions to moving to the south. There are plenty of fucked up kids and fucked up parents everywhere in the US, but there is something different in the deep south. Kids are more respectful of their parents, say things like sir and mam, apologize if they cut you off in line and take their hats off and dont talk during the national anthem. Go to a sporting event in California, its disgraceful to me when someone talks during the anthem. My wife has turned around many times and told them to shut the fuck up, they look back at her and have no grasp of why she said that to them. We went to a large rodeo in Alabama recently and also the Iron bowl with 87,000 fans, you could hear a pin drop during the Anthem.

 

[hallett21]

One of our major attractions to moving to the south. There are plenty of fucked up kids and fucked up parents everywhere in the US, but there is something different in the deep south. Kids are more respectful of their parents, say things like sir and mam, apologize if they cut you off in line and take their hats off and dont talk during the national anthem. Go to a sporting event in California, its disgraceful to me when someone talks during the anthem. My wife has turned around many times and told them to shut the fuck up, they look back at her and have no grasp of why she said that to them. We went to a large rodeo in Alabama recently and also the Iron bowl with 87,000 fans, you could hear a pin drop during the Anthem.

Agreed with everything you said. But isn’t that a parenting issue more than anything? Same age kids but 180 degrees of respect, manners etc.

The people you’re describing in the south I’m assuming aren’t all military trained

 

[RiverDave]

Granted this was a fast google search. But basically the stats are roughly 21 million 15-19 year olds and 21 million 20-24 year olds. So dividing by 5 and multiplying by 2 is 8 million ish....

What are we doing with even half of those people? We gotta pay those salaries one way or the other. I assume they would need to take over civilian jobs at some point.

Like I said this is a mostly light hearted convo on my end. Hope it comes across that way

They don’t need to take over civilian jobs.. however there are a lot of jobs in the military that can train for civilian jobs.

 

[The Prisoner]

I didn't serve but I know for a fact that the military doesn't want a 45yo, especially me because I'm not going to put up with the DI's shit, I'm to old for that, lol

I am with you 100%. And with the music the kids would play in the barracks, well, I could see myself pulling a pin on a grenade.

 

[hallett21]

They don’t need to take over civilian jobs.. however there are a lot of jobs in the military that can train for civilian jobs.

Roughly 1.5 million service men and women.

If we introduce 8 million additional personnel where would we put them?

I’m assuming civilian jobs unless you have a better idea?

 

[Ultra912]

My story,,,,,,I enlisted in the Army in 1975 right outta HS. My parents were not happy about that and to be honest, I was not sure if it would work for me but I felt like I needed to get away from being a boy and it was time to test my manlyhood and get on with life. It would be a jump start if I could land a good trade. I was accepted, which wasn't hard to do back then, to be a projectile radar tech. I was a HS football, basketball and baseball player and basic training was a physical walk in the park for me and a few others. The rest were twirps and low lifers, criminals and dirtbags. Today I bet 80% of the others wouldn't be able to even get accepted due to the current physical and mental requirements. You still had to be registered in the draft in 1975 but the draft had been eliminated a couple years prior. It definitely gave me a head start on my course to becoming a responsible man. After 2 years I developed a seizure disorder and was medically discharged after a couple of seizures while in electrical school. Back then a lot of low life druggies enlisted to clean themselves up with most disappearing in short order. 2 fast years was a great experience for me and who knows, I was enjoying it so much I coulda become a lifer. I never was on a jet until I enlisted, never hitch hiked until I had to get home from Oklahoma while on leave, never met a prostitute until I needed to get laid and never had a Black buddy until I was right behind one to finish the mile run right behind his ass. We became good buddies and were both squad leaders while in basic training. 2 years would sure make a lot of snowflakes into men but we all know that could never happen in our country now.

 

[Roosky01]

Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing but Israel has mandatory service and it turns out like this?

If we required it this would be the result...

 

[hallett21]

My story,,,,,,I enlisted in the Army in 1975 right outta HS. My parents were not happy about that and to be honest, I was not sure if it would work for me but I felt like I needed to get away from being a boy and it was time to test my manlyhood and get on with life. It would be a jump start if I could land a good trade. I was accepted, which wasn't hard to do back then, to be a projectile radar tech. I was a HS football, basketball and baseball player and basic training was a physical walk in the park for me and a few others. The rest were twirps and low lifers, criminals and dirtbags. Today I bet 80% of the others wouldn't be able to even get accepted due to the current physical and mental requirements. You still had to be registered in the draft in 1975 but the draft had been eliminated a couple years prior. It definitely gave me a head start on my course to becoming a responsible man. After 2 years I developed a seizure disorder and was medically discharged after a couple of seizures while in electrical school. Back then a lot of low life druggies enlisted to clean themselves up with most disappearing in short order. 2 fast years was a great experience for me and who knows, I was enjoying it so much I coulda become a lifer. I never was on a jet until I enlisted, never hitch hiked until I had to get home from Oklahoma while on leave, never met a prostitute until I needed to get laid and never had a Black buddy until I was right behind one to finish the mile run right behind his ass. We became good buddies and were both squad leaders while in basic training. 2 years would sure make a lot of snowflakes into men but we all know that could never happen in our country now.

Honestly I appreciate your insight

 

[hallett21]

Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing but Israel has mandatory service and it turns out like this?

View attachment 1075688

If we required it this would be the result...

View attachment 1075690

I appreciate that all day long.

However, if it was about getting ass, then every dude or chick that wanted some would sign up.

 

[Angler]

Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing but Israel has mandatory service and it turns out like this?

View attachment 1075688

If we required it this would be the result...

View attachment 1075690

Liking the uniforms of the Israel Women soldiers...

 

[RiverDave]

Roughly 1.5 million service men and women.

If we introduce 8 million additional personnel where would we put them?

I’m assuming civilian jobs unless you have a better idea?

Well if you are wondering where the funding comes from, you could scrub the cream
Off the top of the defense budget and still have the entire cup of coffee and the pot left over.

There’s an infinite amount of things you could have them doing both here and abroad.

 

[RiverDave]

Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing but Israel has mandatory service and it turns out like this?

View attachment 1075688

If we required it this would be the result...

View attachment 1075690

Number 1 recipient of foreign aid is Israel.. almost all of it is military funding.

 

[78Southwind]

When I was 21 a family friend had been hosting a German exchange student. He was 18 so I figured why not bring him out to the river. The kid had a ball. I was working full-time and going to school part-time (I owned a home, car and a boat). I asked the kid if he was going to go to college or get a job once he returned home and graduated High School. He said he had to serve in the military for 2 years first and then his college would be free. It sounded like a pretty good deal but I thought to myself, I probably wouldn't have my house or my boat if I had to serve in the military first.

Looking back I really think the Switzerland education system is the way to go. Get the kids ready for a vocational school or a baccalaureate. But don't limit the kids to just one or the other. I had a great time in High School but waisted a lot of time and had to make up for it in my twenties by burning the candle at both ends.

 

[CarolynandBob]

I did 4 years in the Navy. Many years ago someone suggested everyone do 2 years and I was against that idea then. Now I think it would be a good thing. Society and bad parenting are really screwing kids up now. Not all kids, but too many.

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

I am a proud veteran I believe every guy and girl should serve at least 2 years so that these young kids gain some pride in our country. Let them chose the branch that they would like to go in. Kids today have no patriotism like kids 30 years ago. I think this is good for all kids irregardless of their upbringing or where they live or if they have college.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I won’t comment on making it mandatory, but from my personal experience: it was a great thing for me because I grew up real quick when I joined the military. I was always a good kid, never got in trouble in school, straight As, 2 sport athlete, etc but I think I acted a little entitled as a teenager.

Now after 11 years, I’m tired of the military BS and I’m getting out. I won’t push my kids towards it per se, but I’ll encourage them if they show an interest.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Im not sure I would say I agree with mandatory "military" service but I'm not opposed to mandatory "government" service. There plenty of jobs where you can make a fine career if you choose to stay or you learn some good life lessons during your short stay. I was a Wildland fire fighter for 6 years in my 20's. I worked on 2 hotshot crews. 1 out of taos, NM and the other out of Prescott,AZ. Best time of my life and I learned some of my best lessons there. You also get to meet the greatest people from all walks of life.

 

[USMC2010]

I have been in this topic off and on for 30 years. When I was a Sergeant and Staff Sergeant in the late 90's I wanted mandatory service. Over time my opinion of this changed. My last 4ish years was at the communications electronics school training entry level Marines into their primary MOS's (jobs). I can say with absolute certainty after that I will never support mandatory service in the US. Why?... well, we now are fully voluntary and even with that volume of issues with entry level Marines is sometimes staggering. Marine Corps entry training consists of the following, Boot camp, MCT (Marine Combat Training), and then there MOS school. Each of these steps is both a time to advance them towards the fleet BUT also a time to evaluate for further service. They may be basic trained Marines after boot camp and MCT but they are not fully qualified to serve in the fleet until they get an MOS. MOS schools both train them into a skilled job but it is also a time period to allow them to adult and there is the issue. We experience a lot of young people failing in that area and because of that many get discharged instead of moving forward.
Now make it mandatory for all 18 year olds, it's bad enough keeping up with the discipline of those that want to be there, the issues of having everyone in the process would be a massive discipline problem that ultimately would effect readiness. I won't say that adjustments couldn't be made and the mission accomplished but I have thought about this idea ever since I can remember in my time of service. From an upper level leadership position I can not support taking the entire population through the process, I don't see a benefit to mission readiness which is the ultimate goal. That being said, being able to "discipline" todays youth would be awesome, LOL, but you can't do that anymore either.

 

[Taboma]

I have been in this topic off and on for 30 years. When I was a Sergeant and Staff Sergeant in the late 90's I wanted mandatory service. Over time my opinion of this changed. My last 4ish years was at the communications electronics school training entry level Marines into their primary MOS's (jobs). I can say with absolute certainty after that I will never support mandatory service in the US. Why?... well, we now are fully voluntary and even with that volume of issues with entry level Marines is sometimes staggering. Marine Corps entry training consists of the following, Boot camp, MCT (Marine Combat Training), and then there MOS school. Each of these steps is both a time to advance them towards the fleet BUT also a time to evaluate for further service. They may be basic trained Marines after boot camp and MCT but they are not fully qualified to serve in the fleet until they get an MOS. MOS schools both train them into a skilled job but it is also a time period to allow them to adult and there is the issue. We experience a lot of young people failing in that area and because of that many get discharged instead of moving forward.
Now make it mandatory for all 18 year olds, it's bad enough keeping up with the discipline of those that want to be there, the issues of having everyone in the process would be a massive discipline problem that ultimately would effect readiness. I won't say that adjustments couldn't be made and the mission accomplished but I have thought about this idea ever since I can remember in my time of service. From an upper level leadership position I can not support taking the entire population through the process, I don't see a benefit to mission readiness which is the ultimate goal. That being said, being able to "discipline" todays youth would be awesome, LOL, but you can't do that anymore either.

Most interesting, but I'm not sure if I should be scared shitless that this statement reflects the lack of maturity and discipline of today's youth, or be encouraged about the required discipline and maturity our modern Armed Forces demand.
All of the above is probably the correct answer ?
As one who was drafted as a 23 YO to serve our nation in war, I certainly didn't enjoy basic training. But watching so many knuckleheaded older teens transformed into disciplined young men over the course of several months, was pretty amazing.

 

[CLdrinker]

Last thing I want is a mentally unstable snowflake in the military.
Do we need a way to set some American pride in our youth? Absolutely.

But forcing a bunch of dipshits into our armed services is a disaster waiting to happen.

Maybe implement some kind of jr high or high school program.

 

[Roosky01]

I separated from the Army in '94 and went through the transition from Bush to Clinton. I cant even imagine how fuk'd up and in your face political the command staff is now?

IMO, mandatory service in this day and age would just produce more SJW's at a militancy and rate that America's colleges could only dream of.

 

[Blackmagic94]

We don’t need to train the left how to kill for the coming civil war in the future.

 

[HB2Havasu]

I was accepted to Naval officer candidate school after college, with visions of becoming the next Maverick. Well, I was in love at the time and fucked that all up. I cant complain with how my life has worked out but it is one of my biggest regrets for not seeing it through. If I could enlist now at 56 I would in a heartbeat.

Similar story. I came within a signature of joining the Air Force. It was my dream to become a pilot but I thought I was in love, lol. Ended up marrying her but wow did that marriage go down in flames

But what are we going to do with 8 million 18-20 year olds? Seems more like socialism at that point since military personnel would then need to take over civilian jobs.

If I were King I would put 1/2 of them on the Mexican border to stop the invasion today!

 

[HBCraig]

One of our major attractions to moving to the south. There are plenty of fucked up kids and fucked up parents everywhere in the US, but there is something different in the deep south. Kids are more respectful of their parents, say things like sir and mam, apologize if they cut you off in line and take their hats off and dont talk during the national anthem. Go to a sporting event in California, its disgraceful to me when someone talks during the anthem. My wife has turned around many times and told them to shut the fuck up, they look back at her and have no grasp of why she said that to them. We went to a large rodeo in Alabama recently and also the Iron bowl with 87,000 fans, you could hear a pin drop during the Anthem.

I went to college in the deep south. It's all yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am

Kids are much one respectful

There is absolutely nothing like the Iron Bowl, nothing

 

[hallett21]

Well if you are wondering where the funding comes from, you could scrub the cream
Off the top of the defense budget and still have the entire cup of coffee and the pot left over.

There’s an infinite amount of things you could have them doing both here and abroad.

Or the department of energy’s “black” budget (that one blew me away).

But putting that many people into mandatory service would certainly have a negative economic impact against the US private sector. Eventually you’re going to take jobs/contracts away from civilian companies.

What are some of your ideas on where you could put these people to good use?

 

[hallett21]

Similar story. I came within a signature of joining the Air Force. It was my dream to become a pilot but I thought I was in love, lol. Ended up marrying her but wow did that marriage go down in flames


If I were King I would put 1/2 of them on the Mexican border to stop the invasion today!

There are roughly 20,000 boarder patrol agents. Now there are 4 million. Do we even need the wall or do we just have everyone link arms lol.

 

[coolchange]

Couldn’t imagine a lot of these kids military. Might help them, might hurt us. I have a friend who is rather hi ranking MI and tells about how screwed up our military is already. But he says fortunately we are the least screwed up on the planet.

 

[Cdog]

Or the department of energy’s “black” budget (that one blew me away).

But putting that many people into mandatory service would certainly have a negative economic impact against the US private sector. Eventually you’re going to take jobs/contracts away from civilian companies.

What are some of your ideas on where you could put these people to good use?

This is where I thing a program would shine. The public sector is doing a terrible job and the private just fleeces the public for non compete projects that make politicians rich.

The military should be the first choice. After that you can choose public works projects.

Everything from inner city demo projects, trash pick up, clean oceans, highways and roads, "real public service". So many shit jobs stupid asshole FB, only fans, insta thot tic Tok generation kids don't have any other skill set for.

What many here are not considering is we either take care of and train these idiots now and give them chance or prepare to take care of them later in life via food stamps and or prison.

Over the next decade we're moving from an ownership society to a lease society. "you'll own nothing and you'll be happy". Only the outliers will have a chance of a life they all lust for on TV. Most will end up like Frito on Idiocracy. These idiots will be pitted against the minority who bucked the trends, worked hard and have found success. They are nothing more than leverage for politicians

 

[Loo Dog]

Bad idea. Not to mention, if it’s “mandatory”, what do you think the percentage of the 8 million estimation is that will not meet height/weight, medical or basic psychiatric standards? Fat, broken or crazy kids get a free pass or what?

 

[Orange Juice]

If I had it all to do over again, I’d learn to live naked and homeless.

Those guys got there shit together.

 

[mash on it]

Bad idea. Not to mention, if it’s “mandatory”, what do you think the percentage of the 8 million estimation is that will not meet height/weight, medical or basic psychiatric standards? Fat, broken or crazy kids get a free pass or what?

It would only be 4 million, females wouldn't be required. There's always Canada for the fat, broken and crazies. That leaves 3 million.

Dan'l

 

[hallett21]

Bad idea. Not to mention, if it’s “mandatory”, what do you think the percentage of the 8 million estimation is that will not meet height/weight, medical or basic psychiatric standards? Fat, broken or crazy kids get a free pass or what?

I’m getting the vibe that the Mandatory Service idea is to “fix” the youth. Through PMs and responses here there are some good ideas.

But there also seems to be a sentiment of

“well the kids are screwed up, the military will fix them”.

The above idea coming from people who don’t trust the current administration.

 

[hallett21]

It would only be 4 million, females wouldn't be required. There's always Canada for the fat, broken and crazies. That leaves 3 million.

Dan'l

Alright you have 3 million ready and willing (or not lol).

Where do you put them?

 

[Tank]

I've always supported a 2 year mandatory commitment for males and females. And I have 2 young sons so it's coming from an area that would directly affect me. I've never been in the military but have nothing but respect for our military personnel. I work with, instruct and am around all the time, many that have served. 9 times out of 10 the ones that have served have their shit together and have that "edge" to them that I truly respect. That directness, no bullshit, put together, respectful, "do the right thing" edge is what I'm referring too. And it's kind've entertaining to see that "edge" vary between the personnel of the various branches and their specific duties they carried out.

My nephew is considering entering the marines and my 12 y/o talks about joining the military from time to time. My HUGE reservation is the lack of leadership in our current military. I never thought our military could be so infested from the inside and become so side-track by trivial bullshit that they would lose their focus and essentially drop the ball in such a profound way. I would fear more for my sons to join the military and be victims of absolute horrific leadership over victims of a war / KIA.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

I went to college in the deep south. It's all yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am

Kids are much one respectful

There is absolutely nothing like the Iron Bowl, nothing

Four overtimes was hard to believe for our first the first college game we ever attended in person. It will be an annual event, done with pro football.

 

[spectras only]

But putting that many people into mandatory service would certainly have a negative economic impact against the US private sector. Eventually you’re going to take jobs/contracts away from civilian companies.

What are some of your ideas on where you could put these people to good use?

Build Back Better, ie: roads and infasructure, rebuild devastated areas etc.....during peace times.

When I was in the army, we're called to unload freigth trains by shoveling crushed rocks etc....
Mandatory service would only help to shape/build character for snowflake lazy young people if strict discipline was followed
Will not happen in today's woke army.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I would fear more for my sons to join the military and be victims of absolute horrific leadership over victims of a war / KIA.

And that is why I’m getting out.

 

[hallett21]

Build Back Better, ie: roads and infasructure, rebuild devastated areas etc.....during peace times.

When I was in the army, we're called to unload freigth trains by shoveling crushed rocks etc....
Mandatory service would only help to shape/build character for snowflake lazy young people if strict discipline was followed
Will not happen in today's woke army.

So how long until the members here say the government took food out of their kids mouth? Plenty of members here who have government contracts.

Some of which I would be willing to bet survive off of those contracts.

Seems to hit communism/socialism very quickly.

 

[C-Ya]

Here is a story one of my fellow boat captains told me recently. It is a real twist on this thread……

His Dad is stationed at Rammstein Air Base in Germany, when he meets his mother. My friend is born in Germany on the airbase, and his mom is a German citizen. He moves to Miami at the age of 2. When he graduates from high school in Miami, he gets a notice from the German government that he is required to give 2 years of service as a German citizen. In his case, he would have to do 2 years in the German Military if he wants to keep his dual citizenship. He went!!! He hardly spoke German when he got there, but was completely fluent when his service was over. He has some really funny stories about his experiences. Basically being an American in the German Army. It’s funny just thinking about it!

I have a Friend from Israel that hated his mandatory service…… as he puts it “one day I was in high school, the next day I was on the bomb squad” He now lives in Boca Raton.

 

[spectras only]

So how long until the members here say the government took food out of their kids mouth? Plenty of members here who have government contracts.

Some of which I would be willing to bet survive off of those contracts.

Seems to hit communism/socialism very quickly.

Well, the Swiss hasn't turned communist yet.

 

[hallett21]

Well, the Swiss hasn't turned communist yet.

Fair enough. But we’re discussing putting the entire population of Switzerland into boot camp overnight lol.

 

[Ziggy]

I could support the idea of a 2 year mandatory term. I firmly believe a bunch of the BS we see today disrespecting our country, our flag and anyone who disagrees with your point of view would not exist under that structure. You would still have shit bags who would get kicked out during their 2 years for being shit bags but I think it would make stronger men and women for the next century.

The path we are on today isn't sustainable and leads to very dark places down the road IMO. We need draconian changes across the board.

Precisely.
Have you seen the most recent Promotional Videos produced for our Military recruiting?

 

[hallett21]

I couldn’t imagine 4-8 million military personnel enforcing vaccine mandates.

I also can’t comprehend this board asking the government to correct kids who weren’t raised correctly.

Just seems like a dangerous slippery slope to me.

 

[NorCalRiverRat]

and if they don't want to serve they can always use the trump play book, pay off a doctor to say bad bone spur's

..

 

[Tank]

and if they don't want to serve they can always use the trump play book, pay off a doctor to say bad bone spur's

..

Isn't that the Biden play book? Dr. - "he's mentally competent"

For what it's worth, my cousin wanted to go the Marines BAD. Good kid. Squared away. They wouldn't take him because he was flat footed.

 

[Dalton]

It would make the military less professional as @USMC2010 said. I think a few bright minds the military wouldn’t normally see would end up in there, but not enough to make up for the bad ones lol.

I guess I’m looking at it from the perspective of helping the military not helping individuals. I think as far as helping younger people it’s a toss up if it would, I have the mindset that if you weren’t going to amount to anything before joining, the military won’t necessarily change that. Many dudes get out and work fast food/minimum wage jobs, no reason to, but that’s their mindset.