Yes, I understand this concept of universal service. It is unjust and undemocratic for only a small proportion of the population to serve.
Selber's description of how "military families" have tended to carry this value and burden of service cannot and should not sustain the uniformed ranks. However, it is tricky to mandate service (even n…
Yes, I understand this concept of universal service. It is unjust and undemocratic for only a small proportion of the population to serve.
Selber's description of how "military families" have tended to carry this value and burden of service cannot and should not sustain the uniformed ranks. However, it is tricky to mandate service (even non-military) in a society and culture like America's. We do not live in Robert Heinlen's world (Starship Troopers). Indeed, armed service recruiters do not want a return of the draft, as it lowers quality and increases disciplinary challenges. Besides, two-thirds of the age appropriate pool of young people are not even physically qualified for military service which is a depressing and deplorable fact. And yet we now see the military lowering minimum qualifications which is extremely dangerous (we can expect routine, operational and training accidental deaths and injuries to increase, at the very least). I just continue to think along the lines of what Lincoln said -- the country depends upon whether its people will think and act to place "the common good" as you say, above their own self-interests. The question is what can be done to encourage, motivate and incentivize people to step up ? Actually, there is much that can be done.
Yes, I understand this concept of universal service. It is unjust and undemocratic for only a small proportion of the population to serve.
Selber's description of how "military families" have tended to carry this value and burden of service cannot and should not sustain the uniformed ranks. However, it is tricky to mandate service (even non-military) in a society and culture like America's. We do not live in Robert Heinlen's world (Starship Troopers). Indeed, armed service recruiters do not want a return of the draft, as it lowers quality and increases disciplinary challenges. Besides, two-thirds of the age appropriate pool of young people are not even physically qualified for military service which is a depressing and deplorable fact. And yet we now see the military lowering minimum qualifications which is extremely dangerous (we can expect routine, operational and training accidental deaths and injuries to increase, at the very least). I just continue to think along the lines of what Lincoln said -- the country depends upon whether its people will think and act to place "the common good" as you say, above their own self-interests. The question is what can be done to encourage, motivate and incentivize people to step up ? Actually, there is much that can be done.