Justification for Compulsory Military Service Term Paper

Total Length: 1866 words ( 6 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 6

The Vietnam experience illustrated that, as well as the need for more fair methods of defining exemptions and assigning stateside military duties in times of foreign wars.

It is rather well-known that 18 is a comparatively dangerous age, primarily because, with the exception of consuming alcohol and tobacco products, it marks a period of youth where one enjoys all the legal rights of adulthood in the U.S. despite the fact that most psychologists and adolescent behaviorists consider this chronological an "intermediate" period between childhood and true adulthood. This conclusion reflects the common observation that for most individuals, social and interpersonal judgment and skill both remain relatively undeveloped until the mid twenties.

Generally, the age of 18 marks a psychological period characterized by relative immaturity, particularly in complex thought processes involving behavioral choices and their consequences. This is precisely the reason that automobile insurance rates are highest for drivers under the age of 25. Likewise, the relative irresponsibility associated with alcohol and the well-documented disproportionate representation of alcohol-related driving fatalities in this age group justified the nationwide adoption of 21 as the legal age for alcohol consumption in 1980.

Conversely, at 18, most individuals are likely to be entering their physical prime when athletic abilities and recuperative capacity are both at their highest.

Stuck Writing Your "Justification for Compulsory Military Service" Term Paper?

On one hand, lack of external motivation or direction at age 18 combined with the natural desire for independence and autonomy from parental authority makes this the period of life where young adults often make decisions harmful to themselves and take unreasonable risks. On the other hand, it is also a period of life where external direction can motivate many young adults to establish long-term vocational goals and the start of a productive future.

Certainly, military service does require personal sacrifice, but it is also associated with significant benefits, especially in the case of individuals between the age of 18 and 21.

Combined with the social benefits of compulsory military service, current geopolitical events, threats to U.S. interests worldwide and the need to maintain a minimum enlistment sufficient to support the projection of U.S. military power worldwide requires the institution of compulsory military service in the U.S......

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Justification For Compulsory Military Service" (2007, October 19) Retrieved May 20, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/justification-compulsory-military-service-35025

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Justification For Compulsory Military Service" 19 October 2007. Web.20 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/justification-compulsory-military-service-35025>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Justification For Compulsory Military Service", 19 October 2007, Accessed.20 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/justification-compulsory-military-service-35025