Oliver Curtis

1/30/12

English III Honors

Essay #2

With the continual use of illegal drugs, along with the rampant lack of respect and

discipline of today’s youth, some have recommended a mandatory two years of military service

for everyone ages eighteen and older. This legislature would certainly aid in preventing these

problems; however, the mandatory conscription of youth into the military is essentially an

unacceptable policy. Requiring basically everyone of post-high school age to serve a two year

military term tarnishes patriotism, poses problems for the mentally incapable, and increases the

already crippling burden on the United States government’s funds. This proposed legislature is

a perfect example of the unwarranted, exponential growth in the central government’s power

over the people.

Initially, requiring those over the age of eighteen to serve a two year military term

diminishes the integrity of American patriotism, breeds resentment of state, and gives an

inaccurate impression of the United States. Similar to the draft that occurred during World

War II, conscripts will eventually find a way to avoid service, whether in the form of fleeing to

other countries or pleading conscientious objection. Additionally, mandatory military service

goes against the United States’ political tradition of liberal rights. Conscription cuts against

the metaphoric grain of the Constitution and the rights described therein. Often, the common

misconception that patriotism is based solely on military service is made; yet, there are many

other ways to express patriotism. Doctors, nurses, and civil rights activists are, in their own

manner, as equally patriotic as Marines or jet pilots. Most importantly, mandatory military

service shows support of militarism, a fundamental principle in most totalitarian regimes. Such

support could encourage other countries down the path to communism.

Moreover, many people lack the mental fortitude, capability, or even maturity required

to enter the military. Putting someone who is mentally unstable into the ranks has the potential

to jeopardize assignments and disrupt the line of command. In order to prevent this, the

government would be required to conduct psychological aptitude tests on all participants, which

in turn would be both costly and slow-paced. Since most of the conscripts would be relatively

young, the overall level of maturity would be rather dismal, resulting in actions that could lead to

injury or death. Even those who are stable when conscripted could be harmed mentally through

the service, especially those deployed on the front-lines. Emotional damage is practically

imminent in the military, although the degrees of injury vary, and this policy would expose

virtually every future generation to it.

Paramount, the United States government simply does not have the financial means

to support mandatory conscription. The current government budget is already a toppling

pillar, threatening to fall and swamp the United States’ reserve of capital. The costs of salary,

insurance, and college tuition for future military conscripts is vast, certainly enough to bring

that pillar tumbling down. The only possible results for such a large scarcity of funding include

increased taxes and budget cuts in other departments, like education and Social Security. It is

inevitable that many conscripts would make the decision to stay in the military, even after their

two year term is over. The government would be required to pay those individuals’ retirement,

increasing it’s financial burdens to an even greater extent.

In conclusion, mandatory military service had the potential to cause devastating effects

on the United States, as well as long-term social repercussions on future generations. It

destroys modern patriotism, disregards the mentally incapable, and issues staggering costs to

the central government. It is evident that mandatory military service can not be considered a

viable method in the reform of America’s young adult population.