Universal National Service Policy

Abstract

Abstract : See attached. Demands on the nation%s military forces for overseas operations for homeland secunty and as first responders to national disasters have been growing. Increased operational tempo- driven primanly by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and recent national disasters has led to more frequent and lengthy deployments of units throughout the entire U.S. military force. Responding to these increased demands for our military personnel many national and local leaders have advocated a compulsory Universal National Service (UNS) as a way to engage all Americans in service to their nation and to provide sufficient future military forces. In UNS American citizens could choose to fulfill their national service obligations in any of three ways: in national service programs like AmenCorns (providing much needed services to communities throughout the country) in homeland security assignments (such as guarding ports) or in the military. This SRP will propose a Universal National Service Policy which provides for the common defense by requiring that all U.S. citizens between the ages of 18-26 serve a period of military service or a period of national civilian service in support of national defense or homeland security and of other critical national needs.