Would you advocate mandatory military training in lieu of a draft

[Demonaut]

Training and service such as Israel and the Swiss have, two years obligation.

[rockymountaindem]

1. In Israel, three years of active service is required

for men, and two years for women. I think Switzerland is a better example of what you're trying to promote.

I don't think that's such a bad idea. Perhaps that would give us all the impression that we have a stake in defending our nation and knowing that we could defend our country if we had to. It might end some of this viscious partisan bickering.

[Demonaut]

2. I would hazard a to guess you're a vet?

[rockymountaindem]

3. Well, unless you're being sarcastic (and I'm not saying you are)

then I'm flattered :)

Nope, no veteran here. Just a 17 year old military buff.

If you're wondering about why I said what I said about Swiss-style mandatory service, I'll explain. The Swiss have no army. Instead, every citizen (I don't know if they include women) recieve military training and then brush up their skills periodically throughout their lives. There isn't rampant militarism in Switzerland, but everyone knows how to shoot and also basic military maneuvers like our soldiers learn at boot camp. The Swiss, however, require each home to be equipped with a military-style assault rifle and 400 rounds of ammunition. I wouldn't exactly want to see that in America.

So if we put a similar plan into action in America, every person could go to basic training after high school, then go back to civilian life with the skills they learn there. Then, if we ever had a WWII situation again where massive numbers of forces were needed, people would already have some military experience.

More importantly, it would give everyone a sense that they were ready and able to contribute to their country if they had to. Of course, modern militaries require much more training than the average citizen would recieve under such a program, but everyone would know in the back of their minds that their country could depend on them if need be.

Furthermore, it would help bridge the socio-economic gap if people like the children of Senators had to train with farmers' sons and inner-city kids. I think it would foster a sense of community without really interrupting people's lives. It would also give everyone a taste of what the voulnteer, full-time military does every day, so perhaps we would not be so quick to send them into battle.

It would kinda silence all those who are so quick to call people traitors, don't you think?

[Demonaut]

4. correct, I was not being sarcastic. Thanks for the posting, much

more indepth than mine but is exactly what I think this would accomplish., on edit, I first read your post as "17 year military buff" but you're only 17? I've read your posts before and you write incredibly well. In Grand Junction right? Denver for me.

[mr blur]

6. But why...?

Why do you want to learn to kill people? Does anyone seriously think that any force is going to try to invade the US? I'm not attacking anyone here personally, really, but this American emphasis on being "strong" in a military way is one of the things which causes your country to be seen as, at best, a bully, by the rest of the world and, at worst, a "we are the biggest, toughest, strongest, best country in the world and you better not fuck with us or we'll bomb you back into the Stone Age" terrifying Imperialistic power.

I don't doubt your sincerity or your sense but it worries me that you equate giving people a training in aggression and homicidal tendencies with being in a position to "contribute to their country". Is this what a country really needs? You talk as if there is some chance that an enemy force will land on your shores and threaten your homes. None of the recent wars that the US has started/been involved in had anything to do with the American way of life being threatened. We all know that no-one is in Iraq to stop the Iraqis marching down the streets of NYC.

The Swiss have managed to remain neutral through the horrors of this century and their reward has been to end up as the world's bankers. Their record hardly stands as an example of anything other than a willingness to do business with anyone and a reluctance to take a stand on anything.

[fob]

11. Mandatory service should move the dynamic you speak of from

gung-ho militarism to defense of nation. Imagine if EVERYONE had to go through mandatory training. That would put quite a bit more pressure on the chickenhawks when their kids are involved. Currently only DEMOCRAT Tim Johnson of South Dakota has a kid involved in bush*s War on Terra! How many wars would be going on now if Privates Barbara and Jenna were in the 101st?



You talk as if there is some chance that an enemy force will land on your shores and threaten your homes. None of the recent wars that the US has started/been involved in had anything to do with the American way of life being threatened. We all know that no-one is in Iraq to stop the Iraqis marching down the streets of NYC.

Give bush* four more years and we'll be so vulnerable we may all be learning Chinese in 2007

The Swiss have managed to remain neutral through the horrors of this century and their reward has been to end up as the world's bankers. Their record hardly stands as an example of anything other than a willingness to do business with anyone and a reluctance to take a stand on anything.

I'd say with a take like that, mr. blur is an apt choice for a name.

[Demonaut]

12. its more than about homocidal tendencies or about aggression

we will always have those who glorify war and aggression but we lack a true understanding what war is really like, "An Army of One" says it all, playstation warcraft and implies as much. I nor most of us here want world domination.

[LeahMira]

5. No, but ...

I would support more programs such as the Peace Corps or VISTA so that young people could volunteer to work in this country and/or overseas and learn skills that they can use in their future. I also would support providing the volunteers with some of the same benefits that the military provides like college tuition assistance. Back in the 1940s, my father worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and there was also the WPA available to provide jobs for people. These are the kinds of things I think this country should be doing now.

[Demonaut]

9. ok, make it optional, peace corps or military service?!

[Renew Deal]

7. Greece has 1 or 1 1/2 for all men.

[renegade000]

8. can we rig the tunnels with explosives?

please...please!! *jumps up and down*

[fob]

10. Once sanity is restored to the government, yes.

That means no more neo-con stranglehold on the repuke party.