SIR – Some people are advocating the return of a military-type national service, which they think would benefit the young males of today.
Once you eliminate the objections of training men for war, or the unwanted interference in foreign countries, decided by politicians, the benefits are obvious.
The benefits would be a medical examination at 18 years of age – teeth were attended to, plus FFI (free from infection) inspections. Also there was physical exercise, and gymnasium work.
During the first few weeks your education abilities were assessed. If reading and writing was not good, you were sent to an ‘army educational unit’ to learn the basics. One must be able to read standing orders, which were posted up daily and often had the names of men detailed for duty.
With the discipline you did what you were told with no school teacher-type of argument.
National service also gets one away from associates and gangs, which could be a bad influence. You would work and live with a mixture of classes and types.
W Robinson, Manor Close, Bradford
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