[Texas_Jarhead]

Elites also used to set the high water mark for refinement and culture. Now they rut in the mud like pigs.

[SteveMcKing]

They make it into service academies. Thanks to reforms, they've made sure that most of them make it through where 2/3 used to fail out.

[Strategerist]

There are also plaques -- with many, many names on them -- of Union League members who died fighting in World Wars I and II. You can find similar plaques at Ivy League colleges.
I saw no plaque honoring Union League members who died fighting in Vietnam and subsequent conflicts.

Call me crazy, but it might have something to do with there being 10 times more Americans killed in World War I and World War II than in "Vietnam and subsequent conflicts."

[Siamese Princess]

During the middle ages in Roman Catholic Europe, male members of the elite had only two occupational choices in life: the military or the clergy. Even in pre-WWI Britain, the military was one of the few respectable occupations for aristocrats. During the US Civil War, though, many upper class Yankees (dominated by wealthy businessmen and professionals) did not fight. Wealthy landowning Southerners, still adhering to the older aristocratic view that with wealth and position comes an obligation to the serve in the military, were more likely to volunteer.
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The people who started the wars fought in them as well, or at least their sons, brothers and nephews did. Adds a certain perspective.

[Neanderthal]

"In Robert Heinlein's novel "Starship Troopers," only veterans could vote. That goes too far. But suppose we made it a requirement for holding federal elective office that candidates for the House and Senate must have an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces?

This would require a constitutional amendment, and that would be hard. But it beats trying to bring back an unneeded and unwanted draft just to get the most privileged among us to do their duty. And the principle is sound. Those who are unwilling to serve should not be permitted to lead."

Not a bad idea . . .

[John Lenin]

What's the soulution ? Have the government force you to serve in the military after HS graduation ? Please, stop the do gooders !

[PizzaDriver]

IF I was writing the next DRAFT LAW...the children of Veterans would be Exempt.

Everyone else is ELIGABLE!

The children of {serving} Congressmen and Senators would be classed 1A+, {Note the "+", these folks MUST serve ASAP (unless they have served)}.
Same, for the kids of serving and past Presidents & VPs.

My DRAFT would ignore Gender.

[10mm]

Most privileged Americans avoid the military

Most poor Americans avoid the military, too.