[artplumber]

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Vash - I like the concept of everyone having to serve. If you don't want to do the gun thing, there is the medical corp, corp of engineers and countless other branches including the Coast Guard.

Imagine - out of HS or College, put in your two years reguardless. what's the downside?

Several reasons, not the least of which is: do you want someone guarding your back who's primary goal is to not be in that fight? There's enough trouble trying to "win the hearts and minds" of the country where you might be fighting (read Vietnam or Iraq) without having to convince your own fighting forces they should be there.

Furthermore, you would have more turnover in the military at the most basic levels. This leads to an inability to share responsibilities. Eg/ex-USSR military where only the officers really know how things work, and the enlisted folks don't have much responsibility or education because they are just "warm bodies"/cannon fodder.

Chris: I'll ask, "Why won't you let your child serve if they want to?"