The Benefits Of Instituting Mandatory Military Service In The United States

Mandatory military service in the United States has been a debate for several decades, with many commenting on its ideality and others criticizing it for its unconstitutional nature.

In a 2017 Gallup poll, 49 percent of Americans supported one year of compulsory service while 45 percent opposed.

Supporters of conscription, or mandated service, argue it is instrumental in developing mature character, strengthening virtues such as discipline, integrity and national pride. 

Others argue that a mandate for compulsory service strips a citizen of his/her democratic rights.

Both arguments are valid and coded with reasoning, but given the success of mandated service in countries such as Israel and South Korea, military service remains something to be considered.

The military’s intense training and structured environment centered on solidarity is known to shape individuals, fostering values like camaraderie, discipline and responsibility.

Studies have shown that those who partake in military service believe they are more patriotic than the average civilian. 

This can be seen in many labor demographics in which veterans outperform their civilian colleagues, with many employers reporting the same or higher retention and acceptance rates for veterans in the workforce.

However, while structure is known to uphold a house, a home can’t stand without sturdy walls, and integrity is the wall that upholds the military.  

It’s a core value that has always been a part of the military brand; it’s a value that’s necessary not only for the appearance of the military but also for its functionality. 

Low integrity can quite literally mean the difference between life and death—soldiers need to know that they can rely on one another in heated situations to complete important tasks.

The use of compulsory service also offers a more equitable distribution of the burden of defending the country, reducing the reliance on a smaller segment of the population.

There are those that argue that mandated military service infringes on one’s individual freedoms, and that it strips them of time to follow their own personal career paths and goals. 

But the values of duty, unity and integrity instilled during military service grant lifelong benefits that help people excel long-term in their chosen field.

Mandatory military service cultivates a strong national defense, fosters a sense of integrity, and instills discipline in the individuals who serve. 

The military can be a transformative force that shapes individuals into the best version of themselves. 

Ultimately the decision to implement such a policy belongs to the people, but it should be carefully considered because it holds great benefits for citizens of the U.S.