I agree that a certain amount of National Service could be a good idea. I disagree however about the proposed length, and the content. A year is long enough, as far as I know that is what Germany has. There, an entrant must chose between either a Military service (boot camp), or a Civil service (old folks homes, hospitals, youth worker), unless they have some medical excuse. IMO this should be compulsory for ALL youths, male, female, well educated and poorly educated. I know many guys my age from very privileged backgrounds who would have benefited from a scheme like this enormously. Im about the least nationalistic person you're likely to meet, but I do think that it would have a very positive effect on society through the combined individual improvements it would have on the youth, and the actual good works that would come about through their direct involvement (Hospitals, old folks homes etc...).