By Chad Storlie:
The concept of universal military service is a frequently maligned concept by the military. The critics of universal military service state that it will hurt morale because ranks will not be composed solely of volunteers, and that it will lead to a decline in the quality of recruits. On the operational side, commanders cite the lack of motivation of recruits as well as the additional training required to make these sub-par recruits capable of operating effectively in today’s military operational environment.
Today, to unite the country behind the military and make US citizens appreciate the diversity of the country, we need to restore universal military service immediately. The aforementioned concerns of military draftees are legitimate, but by and large, all of these concerns can be overcome.
The reasoning behind universal service is as multifaceted as it is compelling. First, the country as a whole is divided between those who serve and those who do not serve. Today, 99% of the country does not serve. The only way to make the majority of the United States appreciate military service and commitment is to compel it on a compulsory basis.
Second, the 2016 presidential election revealed an incredible divide between urban and rural, rich and poor, and Republican and Democrat. The only way to bridge these divides is to enact universal military service so citizens will be forced to work alongside other citizens they normally would not meet.
Third, universal military service would help compel a return to citizenship and service to the country. America would be seen as an economic and educational powerhouse, as well as an innovation engine of citizenship where everyone served.
Finally, the United States needs more military forces of all services to be available for defense as well as deployment rotations, training foreign military forces, and internal national defense.
The execution of universal military service would be complete, compelling, and help meet both the needs of the United States and the needs of national security. First, the existing structure of our active military forces would remain the same with the same professional standards.
Second, there would be an exemption and a short-term (three to four years) salary stipend for those who chose careers in law enforcement, K-12 teaching, the Peace Corps, firefighting, emergency medicine, and related fields of public education and public service.
Third, the National Guard and Reserve forces would be filled out with manpower from universal military service (UMS) candidates who would then serve on active duty for three years following completion of assigned training. For most military occupations, this would be a year of training followed by three years of active service. Universal military service candidates would then serve another three years in an active drilling status in the Guard and Reserves.
Fourth, military candidates with special skill sets in cybertech (offensive and defensive), languages, sports (the Services Olympic Athlete Programs), and other critical areas would serve four years on active duty following training with no time in the National Guard or Reserves unless they volunteered and were accepted.
Fifth, candidates that were not fit for traditional military service due to physical disabilities would be developed into a special cadre of intelligence, cybertech, legal, language, technology, finance, budget, maintenance, contracting, and other military support duties that they were able to perform. These candidates would serve for four years following their military support training. In some cases, candidates would train alongside military service members depending on their unique military specialties.
Sixth, those candidates who were deemed unfit for any of the prior five areas of universal military service would be assigned to a modern version of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that would upgrade public facilities in state parks, national parks, national forests, and other public areas. This new version of the CCC would serve for four years and support public service projects and non-profits like Habitat for Humanity that would build/restore homes for those in need.
The highest military rank that any universal military service candidate could achieve would be an E-5. UMS candidates would be paid the same military pay and specialty pay from an E-1 to E-5. They would also have access to Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits and GI Bill benefits that are enforced today upon completion of their entire period of service. If a UMS candidate were wounded or injured in the line of duty and could not complete their assigned service, they would still be granted full VA benefits. UMS candidates who did not meet the full length of service requirements would be granted no VA benefits or GI Bill benefits.
Universal military service would not be a return to the traditional “draft” of the post-World War II generation through the end of national conscription following the end of the Vietnam War. The modern UMS would be a way to unite the country through shared experience, shared sacrifice, and shared commitment to make the United States a great country, both domestically and abroad. The rifts that are affecting today’s national conversation are a byproduct of not knowing our neighbors and not being fully invested in the success of the country and our society. Universal military service is one step toward unifying us once again.
Chad Storlie is an OpsLens Contributor and retired Lieutenant Colonel with 20-plus years of Active and Reserve service in infantry, Special Forces, and joint headquarters units. He served in Iraq, Bosnia, Korea, and throughout the United States. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Special Forces Tab, and the Ranger Tab. Chad is author of two books: “Combat Leader to Corporate Leader” and “Battlefield to Business Success.” Both books teach how to translate and apply military skills to business. He has been published in The Harvard Business Review blog, Business Week Online, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, and over 40 other publications. He has a BA from Northwestern University and an MBA from Georgetown University. Follow Chad @Combattocorp.
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