DEAR READERS: I recently did a column on reinstating the draft — with non-military options (DEC 31, 2008). I spoke of the apathy, entitlement, and lack of practical skills that define many youth today, and how, through mandatory national service, we could not only repair America’s crumbling infrastructure and meet an array of unfunded social needs, but youth would receive a life-long work ethic and financial perks to launch them into adulthood.
Today I present the panel’s response to this idea — which, so far, is about 80 percent favorable. To post your viewpoint, please visit www.straighttalkforteens.com.
Emily, 16, Sacramento CA
This idea not only helps our country, it gives young people purpose and life skills. I would choose work in suicide prevention. Helping others is a big part of my life. For it to be a “given” rather than something I have to make extra time for would be amazing. Service should be matched with aptitude and personality. But where do we place the totally unmotivated?
Lara, 17, Fair Oaks CA
We have a similar draft with non-military options in Austria, where I have dual citizenship. One friend is working with children in Russia, another in India, and many choose the military option to get in shape. It’s a bummer to force people, but it would make us less self-centered. In Austria, nobody considers the draft as negative or forced, it’s just service.
Geoff, 23, Redding CA
Where’s the controversy? A program where kids give back to society with future perks of tuition payments, special mortgage rates, fast-tracking into jobs would be totally awesome. But this has to be a federal program. Delegating to states would be a mess (look at the insurance industry). I would love to see it happen, but am skeptical of its execution.
Ashley, 20 Auburn CA
It’s a good idea. But what teenager will want to do it? And what happens when someone refuses? Do they go to jail?
Dominic, 22, San Luis Obispo CA
I’m against government forcing me to participate in anything. Patriotism should come from within. I would feel pride participating in community service, but forcing it defeats what this country stands for.
Sawyer, 17, Fair Oaks CA
A draft with non-military options is a good idea. Many young people dislike America, which is not the mindset we need. Service should be 18 months, with ability to extend into supervisory and career-tracks, starting anywhere between age 18 and 25 so you can travel or attend college first if you want. But what about all the high school dropouts who are under 18?
Jennifer, 15, Sacramento CA
I think it’s a good idea. It would get everyone motivated and ready for the responsibility of adulthood. I would want to work either in organic agriculture, with children, or the elderly.
Kenny, 20, Fresno CA
I am joining the Navy. In college I went into a slump and alcohol/drugs become temptations. So much of college is about partying. So many kids are drifting and lazy. Every single one of my peers plays video games, 30 percent addictively (for younger teens, 80 percent play addictively). We need a national service program like this and every field of service should have physical training.
Fernando, 20, Monterey CA
I’m in the Navy (my comments don’t reflect the views of the US Navy) and I wouldn’t want a forced draft into the armed services — someone resentful about that only puts my life at risk. But I have no problem with mandatory service where you choose between military or Peace Corps-esque options. Serving your country is an honor everyone should experience. I’m more proud of my country and appreciate my life more after tasting the sacrifices that made it possible.
Rachel, 17, Fair Oaks CA
I used to cringe at the word “draft”. Then I presented a similar idea in a school debate and my entire class woke up and saw how mandatory service would only promote our country. We’ve become “every man for himself”. Mandatory service puts everyone in the same boat — and it will take everyone to improve this boat.
By Peter Jesella, Windsor, CA on 02/11/2009
I found with deep interest your column today in my local paper titled “Students respond to idea of national mandatory service. This is a issue I have been intrested in for 30 years, which means I am an oldie, but I am 95% against mandatory service because I do not think it is needed for the reasons expressed by some of the replies. I have advocated a bill from 1979, that would have included male & females registration at 17, encourage talk between these 17 year olds with family, friends, if in High School in High School. At 18 submit a reply of yes, no, maybe (last 7 years I have included Hell No), towards volunteering for community service, active military service or reserve duty. Maybe alloweed for further consideration up to age 23. Since such a decentralized large-scale community service program would take years to develope keeping it voluntary would help this program to grow in an effective manor until all youth that do want to volunteer would hopefully find a program of contracted service in their local community, region, state, nation, planet.
My focus back in 1980 in advocating this bill was a Youth Energy Efficiency Corps as a counterbalance to a future U.S. war in the Persian Gulf (such as Iraq). Unfortunatly then and today both liberial and conservative politicians do not like this idea, for different reasons, and I am not fully sure why because they only give me 2 minute answers, or just silennce.
This registration and feedback requirement, with acess to a highly detailed database of the 1.5 million non-profits like volunteermatch.org could cost between 1 million to 50 million dollars, but if 1.5 million youth want to join in this national sweat-equity endeavor it could cost tax payers 30-40 Billion dollars a year. Now I think with the internet other techologies it could be done in a cost effective manor, but it would take many adults willing to help provide structure and coordination for all these youth that step forward each year.
I have letters from the last 4 out 5 administrations, and hand gave these ideas 1.5 years ago to candidates Obama and Clinton among others, with the hope they would talk about it, and offerr feedback, but like hundreds of other leaders silennce is their policy.
It would be great if the youth that read this were to re-post it on the many blogs, social network sites, out there so that many other youth could be aware of this possible national policy choice for the future. Even better if they could share this idea with the adults in their leaves and take the hard steps of looking up in their local phonebook under Government their local representatives in the House and Senate and call their offices to let the staff know you want this debate in the Congress and White House, not just on the internet.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my 30 year quest for a better tomorrow.
Peter Jesella
jesella@sonic.net
——-