The real problem is people see service tied directly to the military. This enables both side os the political spectrum to dismiss the concept (pointed out in earlier post). The real question is why is the government not asking for people to join in other areas or least create incentives and programs perhaps tied to college loan forgiveness in areas like education, community medicine, international development (peace corps), etc. I know the reasons why people don't currently go into those fields. My question is why doesn't the government do something about it. For too long the politicians have defined the burden of being an american as being a tax rate. Perhaps it is time for the political leadership in this country to define the burdern of being an American being some type of personal action other than filling out a tax form and writing a check to the IRS, especially since those that do serve in these areas, and he military, do this as well. My half-wit thought of the afternoon.