Occasionally you'll hear some politician lobbying for the re-introduction of national service in the UK. The Army doesn't like the idea because it's not their job to cure the problems of society. They want fit, enthusiastic volunteers who are eager to get killed for their country.

If you were trying to improve the youth, you're more likely to succeed by targeting parents. You can predict accurately the job prospects of kids by looking at the educational achievements of its parents. Sending kids for military training is rearranging the deck-chairs as the Titanic sinks.

I know a lot of Americans who would disagree with me, but I can't see how teaching kids to fire weapons would be a step forward. You won't end up with a disciplined youth, but with the same kids who still want to become DJs or Rally Drivers, but now know how to fire a gun. Nice.