Editor’s Note: For an opposing view on the potential problems with a national service program, please see: Counterpoint: Should We Compel Volunteerism?
Now is the time for all citizens to participate in national service as a coming of age and a coming of responsibility from adolescence to adulthood.
Over the 30 years I have been privileged to work in higher education, currently as president of Clarion University in Pennsylvania, I have contributed to the education and graduation of more than 100,000 college students. Given the thousands of interactions I have had with college students from working directly with students as a teacher, adviser, mentor or university leader, I have begun to wonder if now is the time for everyone 18-20 years of age to serve their country through two years of national service.
I ask you to imagine with me the many benefits to the individual and to society that would occur if there was a mandatory requirement for all of the more than 9 million 18- and 19-year-olds in the United States to give their time and talent in service to their country in a variety of capacities.
The benefit to our country:
—For American society, a program of national service would instill to a generation the American ethic of service to country as a ritual of attaining adulthood and fully joining our democratic society.
—National service would enable the 9 million young adults to work and make a meaningful contribution early in their life.
—The work would be in the governmental and non-profit sectors to advance the greater good of our communities. This would continue to include military service and would extend to other sectors of public service including the helping and service to children and families; to the improvement of public parks and other public spaces; as well as assisting and apprenticing with professionals currently working in the governmental and non-profit sectors.
—Work could be achieved for the public good that heretofore the private market has not or will not support.
—More than 9 million young men and women not entering the traditional job market and working for the public good would reinvigorate the economy.
—Infusing young, energetic and prepared citizens into communities to work on behalf of these communities across the country in ways that increases the quality of life for all.
The benefit to the individual:
—A two-year service assignment would allow the 18-year-old to more easily transition from adolescence and dependence to adult and independence.
—The time spent in training and in service would have the benefit of allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to grow and grow up. Recent advances in brain research clearly indicate that the human brain is taking longer to grow up (mature).
—At the conclusion of the service, we could expect that the then 20-year-olds will make better, more focused, more intentional, and thus more successful early adult decisions such as choosing to attend college and/or enter the full-time workforce, etc.
—A grateful nation would fund the national service to train the 18-year-olds for their service assignment, feed, clothe and provide a minimal stipend during their assignment as our show of support for our newest adults. The training, stability and discipline of such a program would provide a productively transformative experience into adulthood.
—At a latter stage of their assignment, the individual would receive transition guidance, training and financial support for life after national service. The post-service support would be at the choosing of the individual who could use the funding that they have earned to help launch them into their adult life by going to college, seeking technical training, or starting a small business etc. The post assignment support should be sufficient to enable every participant to have two years of post-secondary education (an associate degree, for example) fully funded.
Imagine more than 9 million young men and women working either in military service or in other areas of public service. From the sons and daughters of truck drivers and tycoons, all would serve. We would all benefit both personally and as a country.
For the good of our country and for the good of our newest generation, now is the time for mandatory national service.
