Why The Mandatory Military Service is Important

When I think of sacrifice, honor, loyalty, and bravery, I think of the men and women who defend the United States of America. While I served five years in the United States Navy, I gained the knowledge and experience that has now enabled me to be successful not only in my education but my life as a whole. I strongly support the proposal that every citizen in the United States should be required to serve one enlistment in the Armed Forces when one reaches the age of 18. This will not only benefit the country’s military branches, it will also benefit those who serve financially, educationally, and ethically. Though some may argue that this field of work is dangerous, there are many positions in the military that have minimal risks.

Imposing a mandatory military service would mean that a country will have an active reserve army that is prepared to respond effectively and quickly to any threat to national security. With citizens being required to join the armed forces when the need arises, the public will be more watchful and aware of the decisions made by the government, especially when it comes to national security. With their lives at sacrifice or at risk, people would be more assertive to understand more about the threats facing their country and to have a greater voice on how the government should be addressing issues. This strategy would ensure that no one will be exempted from facing wars, where all citizens including businessmen and celebrities are required to serve when the country is facing war or needing more soldiers.

Those who serve are supported by the government with a steady pay check and medical insurance for themselves and their dependents that does not require monthly payments or co pays. Every member gets paid by how much time you have served and what rank you have earned, there is no hourly wage. This gives stability within households of the military members to be assured that they get the same amount every month. For those who have dependents, the military pays a housing allowance to help support families. Even with a steady paycheck sometimes things can get tough; The military always has relief programs and always can help when times get tough.

Every member of the armed forces who serves a total of 2 years or more qualifies for one hundred percent of paid tuition for any established institute for 36 months which equals up to a bachelor’s degree after they separate from the armed forces. Along with the paid tuition, the fees for your text books is paid to you in advance. For those who know how difficult it is to be financially stable while attending college, the government knows that as well; they provide veterans with a housing allowance to help make sure that veterans can focus more on their academics and less on having to focus on how to survive financially in college. As a full time student, I have not stress about how my tuition will be paid or how my text books will be paid unlike those who do not have the benefits I have.

Training in the military can teach individuals not only how to shoot straight or throw a salute, but it will also provide perks that go far beyond the technical skills necessary to get the job done. For example, many military volunteers who have entered a career in the civilian workplace had presented several other skills and work-related attitudes, which helped them to perform their jobs better. These include initiative, responsibility, teamwork, diversity, stress management and global awareness. Others even learned the habits of discipline and healthy living, not to mention the skills in self-defense. It also offers young adults a chance to learn a wide range of skills, morally, psychologically and physically, which parents may not be able to offer at home. If all citizens are forced to serve in the military, this will allow them to learn and train together. This will also be a chance for them to share the same experience of having served their country. People will also have more respect for each other because they will see what it’s like to be in the military, allowing them to appreciate and understand the job of a soldier.

Some may argue that It endangers the lives of young individuals. Forcing people to join the military can put the lives of the youth in the path danger. The young soldiers can get killed not only in a battlefield, but also during training. In a way it also compromises the quality of the military service. Draft armies are usually sent into battle without the necessary experience. This could potentially put new soldiers in the way of danger, providing poor combat skills. This could result in high casualty rates among military men who were drafted under a mandatory military service. Some may simply argue that the military is just not for everyone. If the military service becomes mandatory, those who were not cut out the job will have a hard time coping up with the training and other demands.

Though these concerns may be a big reason to disagree with this proposal, there are procedures and requirements before those who enlist are officially accepted into any branch of the armed forces. Those with any medical conditions that would restrict them from performing their job in the military would be automatically exempt from service. This includes any mental instability such as depression, anxiety and high stress. For those who experience symptoms after joining the armed forces are always encouraged to seek help if someone feels they cannot fill the job requirement to their full potential. Though there are some risks and concerns regarding this topic, any career will have just the same. We risk our lives every day when those of us choose to drive a vehicle, eat fast food, or smoke a cigarette. In my opinion the benefits of joining overcome the negativity of joining the armed forces.

The military is not just about shooting guns and saluting the flag, there are many job components that make the military work as a whole. There are administrative, engineering, medical, technology, and many more different job fields within the military branches. According to Owen Shaw, a veteran of the Navy of 8 years, “there are only a hand full of jobs in the military where you actually hold a gun, but most civilians see more of the negative parts of the military than the good parts. It is one of those things that if you don’t experience it yourself, you will never know the full extent of it.”

According to Sanah Imran from the Huffington Post, “Although forcing every private citizen to serve may seem radical and undemocratic at first blush, something must be done to rectify the average American’s misplaced patriotism.” The decision to send troops to war is one that should be made with a full understanding of the consequences and for one to understand those consequences one must have experience in the subject. The quote “rich man’s war, poor man’s fight” must be changed into every man’s fight. Not only would mandated service make the country strong, it will help individuals make themselves strong.

Works Cited

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