Americans Still Only Vaguely Understand July 4

[Deepcrush]

You misunderstand me. I wasn't talking about any of the effects on individuals from service; I was merely responding the point about the economic effect within the services themselves. You had said that the increase in cost from the huge increase in the number of active-duty personnel would be offset by the decrease in the average pay grade within the services; I was just commenting that I thought the increase in numbers would far outweigh the savings realized by a lower average grade due to the lessening of the top-heavy nature.

Ah, well it wouldn't just be because of the shift in pay rating. It would also come from a shift in the overall national budget, removal of welfare being the primary. Also in that reserve troops normally cost per year to upkeep/pay what it normally costs per two months for the government to upkeep/pay for an active duty troop. Add in that you won't be paying out life time benefits or retirement or GI Bill etc... for these types. You save a lot of money while still maintaining a large ready reserve of men at arms. Since Reservist are also paying taxes, working normal jobs and under requirement continuing their own education. It does help improve the revenue they'll be bringing in since it opens up more doors for public careers and also means their tax income will pay off their cost of service in just five years.

[Mikey]

I wasn't aware that eliminating GI Bill or post-discharge benefits. I guess you'd be dismantling the VA, too, or just keeping it around for career types?

[Reliant121]

Well, I fundamentally disagree with conscription on any level simply on selfish motives. I am not even remotely okay with the chain of command thing. However, having at least a decent ability to provide social history of the nation, basic information on the law of the land and of course to be able to speak the primary language proficiently.

[Mikey]

Well, I fundamentally disagree with conscription on any level simply on selfish motives. I am not even remotely okay with the chain of command thing. However, having at least a decent ability to provide social history of the nation, basic information on the law of the land and of course to be able to speak the primary language proficiently.

I understand that - I tend to agree, personally - but I'd bet a lot that you'd feel differently if it were the way of things in your native land. I know Israelis, for example, who you'd swear were absolutely, positively the exact opposite of the military type... yet of course all served either two (for the women) or three years in Tzahal, as it is mandatory. I'd even wager that it's "more" military that we we assume for our respective armies, because the size of Tzahal and the shithole state of affairs for years out there mean any one individual soldier is more likely to see action than any one of our soldiers.

[Deepcrush]

I wasn't aware that eliminating GI Bill or post-discharge benefits. I guess you'd be dismantling the VA, too, or just keeping it around for career types?

Could just dismantle it since if everyone serves you could just handle the benefits through the SSA. Saves the cost of having another agency to run. If everyone serves you'd also just be better off putting in a National Healthcare Service, even if only a minimal one.

GI Bill wouldn't be eliminated, but if you only serve reserve for 2 years vs active for 6, the amount involved is far less.