Monthly Archives: May 2013

Universal National Service

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Yesterday, General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, wrote in the Wall Street Journal about the lack of civic engagement among Americans.


He reflected on Lincoln’s call durring the Gettysburg Address for citizens to carry forth the work on the country and called for universal national service. A national service that would be at least a year, non-military and though socially but not legally mandatory.

I think his idea is intriguing and I am curious if other countries have tried universal national service and how was it paid for and enforced.

Interesting, the call for universal national service is coming at a time when there are talks of cutting the Corporation for National Service, despite the strong demand for such programs.


So what would it take for such a program to work? Political will, money, social support, buy-in from the private sector and Universities? Despite the challenges that would inevitably come with trying to institute a universal mandatory program, I am glad to see coverage highlighting the importance of service.

