This week we asked six teenagers a question that would concern their future: Should the US discontinue the selective service system (aka the draft) in favor of a national service system similar to the Israeli system of mandatory post-high school service?
“The draft is a good system because they only use it when they need it, just like Israel has a need for its system. Because they currently have enough people going into the US military and because the US is not in the same situation as Israel, I say they keep the draft.”
— Elliot Reaven, 17, George Washington
“What Israel has is different than what the US has because Israel needs the soldiers. It’s a whole different situation than the US, but I still think the US should consider adopting the Israeli system because there is a lot of merit to Israel’s system.”
— Riva Kashuk, 15, Beth Jacob
“If the US really needs the soldiers then the draft is OK, but if there is not a need for men then everything should just be kept voluntary and not a system like Israel’s.”
— Avi Last, 14, Herzl-RMHA
“The US should move toward a system similar to what Israel has because the experience that Israeli teens have after high school and their service is one that teens all around the US could benefit from.”
— Mandy Shapiro, 18, Rock Canyon
“The way that the US is set up is very different to the way Israel is set up in that in the US it’s very important to go straight to higher education, but in Israel it’s more important to serve your country first and then get an education. It’s an amazing choice to make, but I don’t think it should be mandatory like it is in Israel.”
— Julia Rubinstein, 17, Littleton