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Now, this is just an idea of mine and I'm not sure whether or not it has any historical precedent. Basically, this thread is concerned about the effects that some form of compulsory service in America would have on the nation. I know the USA has the draft but since, for all intents and purposes, the military is a volunteer organization, we'd need some PODs to bring this about.
By compulsory service, I mean that students, after graduating high school, are required to spend time in one of two systems:
Serve in a branch of the military for a certain period of time. Allotments are made for moral, religious, etc. views.
Serve in a national service organization for a certain period of time, a la AmeriCorps. Workers would help in disadvantaged communities, in disaster relief, tutoring children, possibly wilderness firefighting, etc.
I'm wondering if a system like the one outlined above would help the States improve parity in equality and related issues.
What PODs would be needed for this? Would it work?