Can the Military Save America’s Young Men?

110406-N-YS896-131 SAN DIEGO (April 6, 2010) First Phase Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs (BUD/S) candidates use teamwork to perform physical training exercises with a 600 pound log at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shauntae Hinkle-Lymas/Released)

At The American Conservative, Paul Brian makes the case for mandatory military service in America. He explains that in today’s emasculated world, military service could teach “teamwork, life skills, and psychological and physical toughness” to America’s young men. He writes (abridged):

I received some fascinating responses and comments regarding my recent column about how the West can save masculinity. One email in particular caught my attention. It was from a friend of mine named Troy, a socially conservative, politically libertarian member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Troy is happily married with three young children and has been working in the IT field on the East Coast. However, he is feeling torn between his desire to serve in the military and his need to continue working a job that supports his family but leaves him feeling bereft of purpose and masculinity.

What it would do is teach teamwork, life skills, and psychological and physical toughness. It would foster a sense of connected identity, camaraderie, and unit cohesion. It would put together individuals from myriad social classes and backgrounds and—if done right—help make those differences subordinate to a unified national identity and mission. By making service the norm, the nation could define patriotic duty above purely voluntary choice and eliminate the anxiety and insecurity of young people wondering what to do after high school. It could help those who feel that their only options are low-paid jobs and college.

Troy is struggling with the emptiness of modern corporate culture. He continues:

I don’t want my body to atrophy. I don’t want lower back pain from sitting at a desk all day. I don’t want diminishing eyesight from hours of glaring at screens. I don’t want a puddle for a brain from years of unimportant business emails and combing over spreadsheet rows and columns. Even the men in my office who do go to the gym—they are not developing useful strength. They focus on bicep curls and chest presses so they look good. But put those men in a combat or emergency situation where they had to fight to defend somebody or scramble out of a falling building while dragging their co-worker out—and they simply could not do it. You’re right about men losing themselves—this whole world is full of bland, faceless men who lose their hearts and minds in their jobs. And I do not want to be a part of it, of that, of them.

Read more here.