Should every American Citizen serve in the military? Should women be required to register for the selective service (draft)? What should the future of the Selective Service look like?
Navy veteran Shawn Skelly and Marine Corps veteran Ed Allard are commissioners for the Commission on National, Military and Public Service. Their mission is to recommend answers to these and many more questions to Congress by March 2020. Shawn and Ed visited Borne the Battle to discuss the two years of data that the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service has gathered to answer those and many other questions.
Some of the goals of the National Commission are:
- Reviewing the military selective service process.
- Listening to the public to learn from those who serve.
- Igniting a national conversation about service.
- Developing recommendations that will encourage every American to be inspired and eager to serve.
According to their interim report, the Commission has learned:
- Americans value service.
- Americans are willing to consider a wide variety of options to encourage or require service.
- Some Americans are aware of the details of the Selective Service System while many are not.
Some Barriers to Service include:
- Military Service is a responsibility borne by few.
- National Service is America’s best-kept secret.
- Public Service personnel practices need an overhaul.
- Civic knowledge is critical for our democracy, but too few Americans receive high quality education.
Finally, the commissioners came on Borne the Battle to let listeners know that they can provide input.
Click here to learn how – deadline is Dec. 31, 2019.
This article originally appeared on VAntage Point. Follow @DeptVetAffairs on Twitter.
