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The whole military thing needs to be rethought:

What is the mission? First of all national defense. We need a standing professional well trained well compensated happy group at all times for that. The standing army includes women.

Overseas and or cross border adventures? Unless it’s solely for prevention of imminent attack on our homeland, the standing military should not be involved except for volunteers from the standing army who should be immediately replaced. These volunteers could include anyone however whoever they are “fighting for” must pay them to the volunteers satisfaction. That’s right, paid mercenaries, as a profession. Volunteers from the standing military could choose to do this to make extra money with their place in the standing military open for them whenever they choose to return.

Mandatory training (limited to skills necessary for national defense) for lottery selected 18 year old men only drafted followed by enlistment for a max period of two years. The last group used to supplement standing military. After two years they can walk away, reup or apply to join the other two groups. Well paid when in action, reasonably paid for being available.

Paid fully trained at the ready volunteer military including women available to supplement standing military for national defense only. The compensation should be less than the standing military however the compensation should be both for training and readiness and more than received by the lottery draft group unless that group is fighting. The first group used to supplement standing military.

Military hardware of any sort paid for by US taxpayers only to be used for securing borders and national defense including used outside borders to prevent imminent attack on the homeland. Any and all other military hardware may be sold unless needed here for use elsewhere at full retail prices in some cases where appropriate rentals may be considered.

Compensation scales should be:

Standing military who may fight - as least as much United auto workers
Volunteer ready army - double minimum wage and when fighting same as standing military
Drafted lottery - minimum wage and when fighting same as standing military
Executives (non fighting officers) - same as standing military
Fighting executives. - same as standing army plus 59% when fighting
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
That sounds remarkably sensible. However I have my doubts regarding conscription/national service. I dont want anyone in the armed forces who isnt there by choice..AND, I would make military service and an honourable discharge as a qualification for anyone running for any elected office. I do read your proposals as removing the need for a lot of the massive naval hardware, like supercarriers and their escorts with global reach, which would save a bundle in the defence budget.😷
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
The draft part is for a possible shortfall in the reserve/national guard who do the bare minimum. May not be necessary if the rest of the program is implemented properly. I agree with and like your adding military service to elected office requirements. @whowasthatmaskedman
jackjjackson · 61-69, M
With todays technology surface boats are sitting ducks and planes can fly from Kansas worldwide and back. @whowasthatmaskedman