[astounded]

concretebob:

I don’t mean the draft as it was during the VietNam era. I mean 100% across the board no-deferments mandatory 2 years minimum military service. Share the wealth and bounty of living in the greatest country ever known, share the sacrifice. If all young folks coming of age knew this was the law of the land, as in Israel for example, it would eventually become a point of pride, as it once was back when.

[concretebob]

A draft is a draft is a draft.
It's MANDANTORY service.
Then or now, Same Same.

I repeat
The all volunteer military we currently have WORKS JUST FINE.
We get the young people that WANT to serve our country and understand the sacrifices required.
The men and women currently serving I have spoken to all say, NO DRAFT.
That question is the very first one I ask.

[concretebob]

Now, in fairness, I agree that there should be some sort of requirement for mandatory service.
The OPTION of military service should be a part of that.
Whether it's planting trees, cleaning streets, working in a shelter, or whatever.
The incentive would be a grant for tuition, in addition to fair pay for work performed.
Both of my children were required to complete 200 hours of community service prior to graduation from high school.
My daughter chose to go the rescue squad route, in a small community rescue squad out in the boonies, that seriously needed volunteers.
I forget what my son did, but I didn't really care, he already had a full academic scholarship to William & Mary.

[concretebob]

I hate to keep responding like this, but I'll log off and think of something else.
You used Israel as an example, and it is a FINE example of pride in country.
The difference between us and Israel is this:
Israel is a relatively new country, compared to the United States.
I work with a young man from Israel who explained the sense of pride ALL Israelis have.
Our youngsters have been pampered and spoiled and have no idea what it feels like to NOT have a sense of identity.
But even Israel gives it's youngsters the option of doing something besides military service, but they do have to train with the military, because all Israelis are part of the Homeland Defense and most every family in Israel has an Uzi stashed somewhere.