Wiston Papers

National Service Program

On January 20, 2005, President George W. Bush revealed his view of America"s future and committed the nation to "the guiding ideal of liberty for all" at home and abroad.  In portraying his vision of a more democratic world, Mr. Bush  challenged all Americans—especially  today"s youth.

"Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself – and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character."

Such a call is laudable.  Hoping for a massive voluntary response by the country"s citizens to march to Mr. Bush"s summons is naive.  Instead, now is the time to reinstitute an obligatory National Service Program for every man and woman over the age of 18.

The nation"s leaders are afraid to restore the draft to force compulsory military service.  However, the Congress should pass and the President should sign into law legislation requiring all American citizens to complete two years of national service.

This would not be a return to military conscription.  Service in the nation"s Armed Forces, of course, would be an option.  But it would be only one of several alternatives.  Americans would be able to fulfill this two-year obligation in a variety of ways.  The nation"s residents meet their obligation by "volunteering" for one of several acceptable organizations.

    The Peace Corps continues to attract hundreds of Americans of all ages who want to make a difference by working abroad with citizens of other nations to improve daily life for the worldπs poor.   AmeriCorps and the Senior Corps perform the same function at home.  Such organizations benefit from the skills that millions of Americans possess that should be used to help less fortunate residents.  There is, however, so much more that could be accomplished through a significant increase of enlistees under a National Service Program.

The National Service Program should contain provisions that forgive a significant percentage of college loans for graduates of the nations professional schools.  Young doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses and other health professionals would donate their skill and talent by working and living in the poorest regions of the United States.  For every month of service in a hardship location, outstanding student loans would be reduced—up to 50 percent by the end of the two year service.  Similar provisions would apply to other professionals such as  teachers, engineers and lawyers who meet their obligation by working in poor schools, helping repair badly antiquated infrastructures or representing residents in need of legal aid.

No one would be exempt.  A generation ago celebrities of all stripes routinely—and often gladly—served in the military.  Movie Stars, professional athletes and  singers often temporarily abandoned lucrative careers at the height of their popularity to answer the call to service.   The sense of national commitment seemed more important than a multi-million dollar contract

Perhaps the most significant result of such a National Service obligation would be the rebirth of a badly needed spirit of patriotism and sense of community.   Millions of Americans, of course, devote thousands of hours selfishly helping friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.  Too frequently, however, the voices and deeds of such volunteers are obscured by what ABC News Correspondent, John Stossel, has called "The Whining of America"--the self-centered obsession with personal indulgence.

A National Service Program would require not only America's most qualified citizens to donote their talent but would also offer an opportunity for the nation's poor to contribute to the country's well being also.  Impoverished Americans would also be required to complete two years of service.  One result would be to expose some of the nation's poor to different lifestyles and the possibilities for change—just as the military did for tens of thousands of poor Americans of generations past.

America needs a new spirit of  community commitment and pride.  A National Service Obligation is one step toward restoring that lost sense of national purpose.

Steve Coon

May 04, 2012