Professional volunteer military forces tend to be more effective than 1 or 2 year conscript armies. When Ukraine was invaded, they sent a lot of conscripts at first. They soon realized their mistake, and now are developing a more professional force. It takes time to master military skills, especially considering the high tech weapons of today.
The US experience of using conscripts in Nam was disastrous. The troops could not be properly trained before sending them into combat, and many conscripts simply did not have the temperament for combat. Elements of the army adopted the procedure of sending inadequately trained conscripts behind enemy lines via helicopter, forcing them to fight their way back to their bases. It was inefficient attrition warfare with no real strategy and tactics. The American voters rebelled when they found out what was happening to their children.
Professional armies are more expensive, but they are also far more effective. Now that the US rich have rebelled at funding a professional military, the US may eventually go back to ineffective conscript armies.
Israel is an exception to the general rule, because the Israeli public supports military service. They know Israel is surrounded by enemies that will exterminate them if given a chance. The holocaust in Europe has never been forgotten. Israeli soldiers are magnificently trained for 2 years and 8 months, or 3 years during their mandatory service. Many volunteer for a long run full time military career, or reserve status where they are trained on a regular basis well beyond their original 3 year mandatory training. It bears no resemblance to how US conscripts were trained for Nam. Many US conscripts got a few weeks of basic, and were sent into the field. They mustered out before they became adept at combat.
Adequately training even a conscript army is seriously expensive. You can't get an effective military inexpensively, or quickly. Years of training on advanced weapon systems is needed today, if you want to win.
I understand what you are saying.
I was thinking that instead of just military service there are many more things that the public service could be involved with.
Sure someone could choose military service instead of paper shuffling, food service, forestry service, or whatever else needs to be done...but that's the point. Everyone serves in some fashion at something that they chose...so it would be less "conscripted attitudes"...and the term of service could be used as a means of experience in some field that you actually can use towards a career later.
Everyone wants to learn how to fly a jet, but not everyone can do the mental acrobatics to actually be able to. Many people want to be able to work with nuclear reactors or aircraft flight control or information technology...but don't have the temperament. Many will get stuck delivering mail, planting trees in a forest, driving a dumptruck to build an interstate, or constructing barracks to house conscripted people. Mundane jobs that have to be done by people.
That's why I was suggesting that it be across all areas of public service and not just military service. Sure, some people will be military... and some will want to stay in public service. Why not?
Kids could go after high school or college...their choice. (They will have arrived at their majority by that point)
And instead of hiring all of the contractors our Government currently does we could have it be a term of public service.
PX is actually the largest grocery store chain in the world. And you need a military ID to buy stuff there. Albertsons is second...(this conglomerate includes Publix and Kroger named stores). This is nuts.
TVA is another creature developed by our Government...it needs all kinds of technicians and engineers...and electricians...all great career paths. Compulsory public service could help with that.
Sure there will be those who barely get by...and criminals...and those with disabilities who get excused if they wish to.
I'm just wondering about it from several angles. Social, economic, and cultural.