I don’t see well-paid civil service as a bad idea. Farming is a way of life, done right, and some of us like it and are willing. When a friend in Germany was about finished with Gymnasium (secondary school) was being faced with mandatory military or civil service. They chose civil, I forget what they did, probably something in IT field. It depends on need and ability what choices are available, but there were several options available and they didn’t hate the idea of a few. It prepared them for university, today they are living quite decently abroad, in the final stages of writing their dissertation. If the USA had this and did it correctly, (proper cool off breaks, hydration, well-paid with comprehensive medical), I see it as a boon with real life skills gained, money to start a life, and a more self-sufficient, yet interdependent society.
I don’t see well-paid civil service as a bad idea. Farming is a way of life, done right, and some of us like it and are willing. When a friend in Germany was about finished with Gymnasium (secondary school) was being faced with mandatory military or civil service. They chose civil, I forget what they did, probably something in IT field. It depends on need and ability what choices are available, but there were several options available and they didn’t hate the idea of a few. It prepared them for university, today they are living quite decently abroad, in the final stages of writing their dissertation. If the USA had this and did it correctly, (proper cool off breaks, hydration, well-paid with comprehensive medical), I see it as a boon with real life skills gained, money to start a life, and a more self-sufficient, yet interdependent society.