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Universal Service
The draft is being talked about
again today. The 60s draft was inherently unfair,
giving the politically connected and economically
privileged a way out while forcing the poor to serve.
Today, the economic realities of our country are
creating a similar situation.
For the first time since Vietnam,
our military struggles to reach their recruiting goals.
In April, for the 3rd month in a row, the
Army failed to meet their recruitment target; the
regular Army missing by 42% and the Army Reserve by
37%.
Isn’t it time to rethink our idea
of national service? What would our country be like if
virtually all young men and women served their country
in some way, just as our grandparents did following
Pearl Harbor?
The time for consideration of a
Universal Service policy has arrived. A policy in which
all mentally and physically able young men and women
between the ages of 18 to 26 would serve their country
for two years, choosing among a variety of options such
as the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or the military.
By fully engaging the ideas and energy of
America’s young men and women, we could begin to address
the unfulfilled needs of our society. At the same time,
changing the face of our military that is becoming
increasingly isolated from the power structure of
America. Finally, it would provide an opportunity for
those who serve to help to shape and build the nation in
which they and their children and grandchildren will
live. |
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