America's jobs crisis: Is reviving the draft the answer?

A New York Times writer sparks controversy by proposing an 18-month national service requirement that would put every young American to work

Uncle Sam
(Image credit: K.J. Historical/CORBIS)

Ever since the U.S. ended the military draft at the Vietnam War's conclusion, Americans have debated whether we ought to reinstate it. This week, Thomas Ricks, a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times military writer, reinvigorated the conversation with an article proposing that all American men and women between 18 and 25 serve for 18 months, either in the military (where they would perform entry-level tasks and save the government money on outsourcing contracts) or in a civilian service program. In both cases, draftees would receive "low pay but excellent post-service benefits." Such a move, Ricks argues, would not only strengthen the military but create a cheap pool of government labor to teach, clean up parks, help the elderly, and perform other essential but low-paying duties. Anyone who would rather not serve at all could opt out, provided he or she pledge not to ask for government services such as Medicare or subsidized college loans down the road. Is Ricks onto something?

Yes. It might be time to revive the draft: Ricks' proposal "is worth a serious look," says Adam Weinstein at Mother Jones, even if putting "lazy America" to work this way is "likely to be called communist by conservatives." The plan has something for everyone. Tea Partiers should love the way it saves money by having young conscripts paint barracks and drive generals around for "cruddy pay" instead of having high-priced contractors do it. War resisters can do civilian work, and libertarians can make a statement by doing none of the above. Everybody's happy!

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