| Well my experience in the Army was that it whipped a few boys into shape - including myself. There were kids there (I joined when I was 15 as an apprentice) who were sent there by the courts as an alternative to youth correctional facilities.
It was hard work, they caned us. But it was worth it, I loved it. I learned a lot about myself.
But I agree, it's not for everyone and it's not the magic elixer. The other thing to think about is the impact on the forces by forcing every youth into it. It would take the focus away from the professional soldiers who are in there to do the job when large percentages of national service soldiers will be gone as soon as their time is up. |