do something for your country

[claymore]

do you think that Britain should introduce two years compulsory military service for everyone turning 21?

[wakeover]

I truly believe that by the time a youth has reached the age of 18 and has no permanent employment then 3 years National Service will definately prepare them for a life in Civvy Street. I say three years because that's how long it would take to allow them to enjoy the benefits of an apprenticeship and be qualified to earn money legitamately.

[tamborine]

It does cut the apron strings!

Lets face it - they need cutting?

[Ankou]

why shoiuld drunken civilian yobs be the army's problem to deal with?? i would reject the idea of my daughters turning 18 being handed over to the army with all these unemplyed drunken yobs that you are suggesting. they could be in a teaching or nursing career (or whataever) doing a great lot of good for society, rather than trying to flatten someone elses, or mingle and fight alongside unreliable losers who have been forced into the army and really dont give a flute.

[Scylax]

Rudyard Kipling thought it a very good idea.
His poem 'The Islanders', written after the multiple disasters of the Boer War gives
his (very cogent) reasons.

[sophie_1003]

The compulsary age for staying in education is already going to be raised to 18, forcing some young people to complete courses they may not be interested in.
Forcing young people into the military after this would mean one of the following-
1. A set of young people who have been forced to spend 4 years of their lives doing something they don't want to do, leaving them with very little trust in 'the system'
2. A large amount of people not entering university until they are 20/21, these people would still rely on financial help from their parents until they were at least 23/24 making the 'apron strings' problem worse.