We continued with our informal survey – asking students and staff what they think about changing the Selective Service System into some form of mandatory service which would include a military option.
It was a bit challenging to get the student’s attention to take our informal survey but we talked to about 8 or 9 people including a teacher, JROTC instructor and staff. Almost all were in favor of mandatory service even when we emphasized that it was mandatory.
Also talked to a student who wants to join the military after school. He was motivated by his father who was in the Polish Army until a congenital heart condition forced him out. This young man has the same condition but he said he’s been checked out by a cardiologist and he’s fine. We cautioned him about his choice; pointing out the difference between service in the Polish Army and the United States which has soldiers stationed all over the world. He thanked us for our advice.
One of the JROTC instructors stopped by. He was in the Navy for 23 years; retired and now is a JROTC instructor. He was surprised that so many students seemed favorable to the idea of mandatory service. We got the impression that he wasn’t that impressed by the students he’s encountered.
Libby