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I'm not sure that all people are cut out for military service, personally. What I support is a two year community service OR military service requirement. Individuals could choose which one works for them. Also, people with medical issues could still do some sort of community service even if they didn't qualify for the military.
Knowing what I was like at 18, I think something like boot camp would have torn me down beyond repair. At that point in my life I had no self esteem and I think a drill sergeant would have sent me into a suicidal depression. I also have a deep seated ..not sure what to call it, I guess it's a fear.. of guns. If I had to hold and shoot a gun, I think I would lose it. I really don't think you'd want someone as thin-skinned as I am serving in the military! I don't think my comrades would feel I would have their back.
However, I would have done great in something like the Peace Corps or building Habitat for Humanity homes, doing City Year, volunteering for the Red Cross, etc.
I think most 18 year olds (of course there are exceptions, myself included) who really don't know what they want to do with their lives and spend the first couple years of college meandering from major to major trying to find their niche. This would both serve our country (in a variety of ways) and give them some time to figure things out before they get to a college atmosphere.
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