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Service: a Duty? a Benefit? or Both, or Perhaps Neither?

In: English and Literature

Submitted By vex10
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Service: A Duty? A Benefit? Or Both, Or Perhaps Neither?

While the choice of service to your country, on a national, state or local government level, is an admirable and important endeavor, the choice should be driven by one's own conscience. To think globally, or for the good of the nation and even for the future - cannot be forced! It has to be a part of who you are, what you stand for and your ability to see beyond your own need. Compelling someone to serve, as in the military draft(conscription), is a non effective notion that will not guarantee the strength and quality of its military and further divides us, as a nation. There exists examples of what conscription can do to a nation from the Vietnam War/Conflict. People chose to leave their country, casting off all that they knew and loved instead of serving in the military. Anti Draft and Anti War demonstrations were everywhere, chaos. Citizens faced prison time and were ostracized because of their refusal to serve and their views against the draft and war. A matter of Patriotism can not be governed by politicians and gauged by others who have different views from yours – it should be left up to the individual. There is no evidence to prove that because of the draft, we were a fighting force to be reckoned with or we had the most proficient fighting Soldiers in history, or that the cost of the war was less expensive. There is, however, more evidence to prove the contrary. If someone wishes to serve their country, there have been various programs to do this in lieu of joining the military. Yet, these programs are underfunded and less advertised than service to the military. It seemingly forces an individual to choose service by joining a particular branch of the military or no service at all. When the draft ended in 1973 followed by ending the Selective Service registration two years

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