Service Is A Good Way To Grow Good Citizens.

By Karen and Erica

Divides exist in our country. We propose national service as one solution. When someone of the stature of General Stanley McChrystal agrees, we think we are on to something.

There is no mandatory service requirement of any kind in the U.S.—in contrast to many other countries. And fewer than one per cent of the people in the United States are currently serving in the military.

We did not always think mandatory service was necessarily a good idea-especially military service. We grew up at a time when men were drafted to serve in a war many regarded as having little purpose. The draft for the first time granted deferment to college students, ultimately through a lottery system, and though our families had members who served in government, few of the men we knew served in the military.

We of course experienced the draft vicariously through male family and friends. The obligation to register, which is again in force, still only applies to men. The Supreme Court is not ready to change the obsolete thinking behind that rule. But of course that has not prevented women from enlisting, serving in perilous situations, and losing their lives in the course of that service.

We think we need to change our approach in a big way—-especially given how few people are serving. If we are to have a military, and we must, we cannot let its burdens be shouldered by so few. Citizens of all backgrounds should serve. Including women.

But service options should exist, and not be limited to the military. It is pretty obvious that many civilian projects could use help as well.

Close to four million teenagers are expected to graduate from high school every year. Many like the idea of a gap year after graduation, and many would benefit from a maturing year of mandatory service. (To be sure there are limited programs, especially for at risk youth, but we think a more universal program would serve a broader purpose.) Younger people can always use an extra year to grow up, and doing that in the company of younger people from other places and backgrounds would broaden their perspectives. In addition to doing critical work, younger people, across all demographic sectors, serving together might well create the foundation for addressing some of the social issues that ail us today.

And think what they would learn if they served with older people who had been around for a few decades.

In 2020 it was estimated that there were 73 million Baby Boomers in the United States. Baby Boomers constitute over twenty one per cent of the U.S. population, and we can be expected to live for at least another two decades. Ten thousand of us reach retirement age every day. Many of us are ending long careers, and want to stay connected to the wider world in a purposeful way. We have lots of skills, and we are experienced problem solvers. We are assets ready, and willing, to be deployed to help the next generations move forward. And we are inclined to public service. We came of age when “what you can do for your country” sparked our imaginations and our patriotism.

The big idea? Bring these two groups together to serve the country.

We propose the creation of a federal domestic program--America’s Future Corps--to channel the expertise of our retirees and the energy of our children—together. An intergenerational body that would call upon the extensive skills of our older citizens, together with the fresh ideas of our younger citizens, in service to our country, invoking our patriotism and our desire for purpose.

Our inspiration is the Peace Corps, which was established in 1961 by a spare executive order. A committed team was then tasked to bring its bold vision to life. The Peace Corps became a hugely successful force—for those who participated, for those who benefitted, and for the country. We know we can do it again, this time channeling our younger and older citizens to work together on education, infrastructure, or any other worthy national or local project..

The mechanics? We’ll leave the details to smarter people, but here’s one concept: a federal database into which states or counties would enter their wants and needs; younger folks would enter their service preferences; and retirees would enter their skills, experience and location. Matches would be made. Federal incentives would inspire engagement. The Corps would brand its members as part of a vibrant national community, deployed locally, fueled by patriotism.   

Everyone has something to contribute. Younger people have energy, vision, and creativity. Retirees, whether carpenters or lawyers, health care workers or electricians, gardeners or administrators or doctors, computer programmers or janitors, have skills and experience that can be put to good use to teach our children, rebuild our infrastructure, and revive our economies. 

Everyone benefits, in so many ways. Let’s give it a try!