Alternative Service

 Writer Chris Hedges wrote a book called War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning.  Though the title says it all, more specifically, Hedges was looking at why humankind seems to tolerate, if not glorify war as the be all end all reason for being.  True it brings out the best and worst of us on occasion, but take a minute to think what life would be like if humanity simply decided not to participate.  This impossibility would take a collective action so vast as to seem impossible, but, if such a consensus could be reached, imagine what life would be like.  

Some young folks are impatient about when they can get in the game.  hey prepare themselves with military video games, all manner of camp clothing, and being obsessed with the latest fighting technology.  I had a student once who was obnoxious in his passion to become a fighting marine.  He couldn't wait to see blood, taste blood, or let blood.  Constantly reminding anyone who would listen what he was going to do once he finished basic trining and became battle tested, he became isolated and shunned by many of his peers.  To the best of my knowledge, he got his chance, became severely injured and was left with a massive existential crisis.  The meaning he sought quickly turned into disillusionment.  War casualties take many forms.  

We are fond of and careful to say, "Thank You for Your Service," to military veterans.  Yet no-one says that to PeaceCorps or Americore/VISTA alumni about their service.  The old Selective Service System had a set of criteria they used to grant alternative service to the military.  One such criterion was that the service had to "disrupt your life." That meant it couldn't be easy, safe, or without personal risk.  The poverty pockets I served in in Texas were some of the most dangerous communities in the nation.  Living on $180.00 a month certainly insured a life of disruption.  

I do not mean to diminish anybody's service.  I just wonder why only one kind gets recognition.  I fear it means that going into the poorest communities in this country to sacrifice time, treasure, and safety is not as important in fighting the nation's wars. That the war on poverty was not as important as the war in Vietnam or anywhere else for that matter.  We are what we value.  Just give us the choice.

But nobody ever says, Thank you for your service to those volunteers.

Still, our country would be better served if all young citizens, by the age of 18 were required to serve their country.  This compulsory service could take various forms including military service and/or community service.  Seems like an obvious win/win situation with far reaching consequences.  The only thing preventing it is political will.