http://www.fdnylodd.com/BloodofHeroes.html                   

This link is from a New York City Fireman who lost his entire crew on 9-11-01. This is a very dramatic and thought provoking website.   
                                                                          
           
                                                                          

I also agree that two years of service towards your country should be mandatory.  I agree with Scott, however that there would be serious problems.  This gimme Kazaa generation would not like too much having their lives interrupted for something so trivial as duty to one's country.  I would suggest thoguh, that this service need not be military.  For those who do not believe in violence of any sort for any reason, they could serve in the Peace Corp or in government service working with the homeless or drug abuse clinics.  The mandatory service is not just about paying to live in your country.  Experiences like the military or the Peace Corp help people grow, experience new things and come out the other end more mature and with a better world view.

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No offense, but why would violence have to be an issue for joining the military?

I would bet that most people in the military have other jobs besides killing.

lol@the army joke.  (Army=Ain't Ready for the Marines Yet)

On a serious note though, Andrew has an excellent point as well.

Yes, there are a lot of people in the military who have combat roles.  However, for every one of them, there is literally a team consisting of dozens and dozens of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who support them.

Cooks, firefighters, police officers, secretaries, journalists, etc.

One thing I've found is that the civilian perception of the military is very, very, very inaccurate.

Most civilians believe that the military is nothing but a war machine, willing to kill at the drop of a hat.

However, please remember that the military is actually a peaceful organization.  They are not in place to fight, but to defend us all by any means necessary.

Sometimes, that means violence.  But ask them, and 100% of them will tell you that they do not want war.

Also, I often use this example in discussing the military with civilians.

Take three guys.  A, B, and C.  A begins to beat B up very brutally.  Guy B is very weak, disabled even, and can not fight back.

You're Guy C.  Do you stand next to them and try to negotiate the situation to a peaceful end?  Or do you jump on top of A, throwing him to the sidewalk, and doing whatever you have to do to prevent it from happening again?

If you chose the second method, you're not against "violence of any sort for any reason".

I'm guy D  "c'mon  B, are you gonna let him talk to yo that way? Kick his b.................." just kidding. I believe the idea of C/O's started in Vietnam. So the idea of joining the Military, even if you ARE anti-violence(by whatever definition you choose!), is not a new one. Your also right in saying, just because you're in the military, doesn't mean you'll be out there in the trenches. I made the jab about the Army, but seriously, something like the Coast Guard is another option. They spend their waking hours SAVING lives. In the end though, even the USCG fires weapons in a combat environment! As their name implies. Bringing up my final point, if the day comes, again, that combat reaches the shores of the US. I would expect anyone, who lives under the  protection of the flag, to stand and fight with their countrymen. This the concept behind the everyone in the military idea.

I always thought it was Navy, I'll have to look into it, but it may be DOT. On that note, if they are DOT or otherwise, don't be misled! We did a static display with the CG at Opa Locka CGAS last week. From one Marine to another, their facility, personell and procedures were are par with ANY military unit. I was impressed. And as far as THIS topic is concerned, the service (if not Military) carries the same stipulations. The biggest one being-YOU CAN'T JUST QUIT!

Well sept.11th left me quite blank to be honest.

I didn't feel real sadness myself more an extreme sympathy for others who lost their loved ones.

You guys are talking about freedom as being what America is about but mandatory National Service isn't exactly the freedom of choice. I however don't believe in absolute freedom and my country, (Britain if you don't know), isn't exactly free as the primeminister, I think, still has the power to anounce a state of emergency though I could be wrong about this. In my opinion the service should not have to be part of the department of defence and the coast gaurd sounds like an excellent option. The point also about the Army only being there to defend the country is not exactly, at least I feel, accurate. Look at it this way Guy A is you and you think Guy B looks a bit dodgy, in fact you've come across this guy before (sound familiar yet?). So you lunge at this guy and pummel him into the ground..... not exactly defense. Don't get me wrong, I am in absolutely no way against a necessary war but I think that at least we should wait until the guy getting beaten up asks for, or shouts for, help or someone has strolen, (with no intent on moving off), onto an island that is owned by you

These arguments are besides the point though and I shall try to face Sept. 11th with dignity and live my life but still observe a 2 minute silence.

Thats my way of giving Mr.B Laden the finger.

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You've never seen the crew of a cutter get into a firefight with a bunch of drug smugglers.  I think these guys earn their pay, and while they may not be as glamorous or as large as the Army or Air Force, they definitely DO see combat...