This link is really worth viewing."The Men Behind Obama ParT 2" by Webster Tarpley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-KJCMWcoms&NR=1

Webster is very articulate and presents a convincing case. We have real reason to be concerned,since as the US economy becomes more unstable Obama will have 2 choices.He will either shrink the US influence and bring the troops home,or expand the military machine thus creating a big external threat uniting the US population in war.

What we could see here,is a whipping up of a public frenzy towards a war mentality via national service to defend the homeland.Kevin Rudd is spending enormous amoounts on new military hardware.We are the world's 13th largest spender on defence.

Obama is developing his own civilian army bringing compulsory national service for all 18-25 yrs.
Obama," I want a civilian force ,just as strong,just powerful and financed as the regular forces." Why?

Dear Brett,

In theory it's a good idea that you're suggesting,
but not always practical. Many young people have
planned their future life and education and
compulsory military service would in many cases
greatly upset the balance of their future.

For example, in mine and my husband's experience,
young school friends who have opted to go into
the work force before undertaking studies have
ended up remaining in the workforce - and not
undertaking any studies.

Therefore those that do have a plan for their
future, should be allowed to pursue it, and
those that don't have any plans could be
encouraged (as they are in the US)
to join the military forces as an
option until they decide their career paths.

To divert all young people (male and female) into
a mandatory National Service could affect the
economy of the country with less people going
into business and industry and remaining in the
military forces - or totally being disenchanted
and becoming a burden on the welfare system.

My husband attended a school where army cadet
programs were compulsory at least for two years
of his high school education. This gave him an
understanding and a grounding for military
service in the event of a national disaster.
To this day he has not regretted the experience.

He has noticed that today fewer schools have that
program. And he feels that it should be
introduced in all schools. Which gives the school
leaver an understanding of military service and
the opportunity to join the military forces if
desired.

Where's Brett? Has Brett Hutton already gone missing in action and the war of words has yet begun!

Pericles could be charged with cyber bullying by Kevin Rudd's thought police.I could be charged with blasphamy for inferring that the Messiah Obama is not what he seems.There is a whole scope for argument here and the leading conscript is AWOL.

Hey Foxy, you're like the best information gatherer I have come across... Can you tell me which is which generation?

We have StG accusing people of being a generation that messed up the next one and I am at a complete loss at to which one they're on about.

I think Mikk had a good point, it doesn't have to be military training but maybe some sort of compulsary something to gather young people and see how they are doing and let them aquire new skills.

Piper

Well, Examinator and I suggested community work as being a more beneficial alternative to learning how to carry a gun. Learning about people outside your own little group tends to bring out empathy in people. I know I learnt heaps working with immigrants, refugees, mentally disabled, druggies, ex-crims and so on. Other programs could be environmental work such as clearing weeds, planting indigenous plant species. There is enough variety to suit the talents and temperament of any individual Gen Z.

OK - this is approximate

Baby Boomers - those born after WW2 until 1965 - were conscripted into military for Vietnam war.

Gen X 1966 - 1976: Never had to be conscripted.

Gen Y 1977 - 1994: Brett Hutton, the author of this thread, is a member, but I suspect born closer to 1977 than the rest of the Gen Y's, so feels safe proposing mandatory military service for those born later than him. Ironic huh?

Gen X 1994 - 2012: Brett wants these people to be conscripted because like each older generation, they think the younger one needs a bit of discipline.

Well I'm going to disagree with all you old farts here and agree
with Brett :)

I did 17 weeks in the Swiss army, which all Swiss men have to do.
I was actually in the airforce communications sections, so escaped
the infantry (whew)

Yes, we all hated every minute of it. For once in our lives we
had to learn to shut up, comply and cooperate with a team.

Much as we hated it, with hindsight it was character building for
all of us. We learnt many skills, made a whole lot of friends and
now remember the whole thing with fond memories.

I'm not sure about a year, but 17 weeks in bootcamp, does no teenager
any harm.