I have nothing against mandatory "service" as long as it's for both men and women, and can include the CHOICE OF military OR OTHER service. What would be bad about teenagers having to spend 2 semesters volunteering somewhere sometime between age 16 and graduating college? They could help clean roads, help build bridges, help in schools or mental health institutions or courtrooms - or go through military training, if that is what they think would be most helpful. The US is practically the only country that doesn't have any such thing (in Burma you have to be a monk for a total of 2 years, say 3 months at age 3, a year at 14, etc, as long as you're done by age 18, for example). What would be hurt by having teenagers contribute to society in any way they can, including militarily if that is their choice?