9 The News Issue 12 July 2024 The RGS Gazette Tommy Tinkler (Year 10) discusses whether there should be a national service Many people our age seem to be against the idea of national service. In fact, 78% of 1824yearolds oppose it, with 67% strongly opposing it. Some may argue it is a waste of time, spending months or maybe a year either doing military or community services, giving up your free time to do work which you feel does not benefit you at all. However, I would like to highlight how this is not the case. Not only does participating in these services provide for the community, but it also benefits the individual. If you were to join the military, you would be provided with a lengthy and longlasting list of invaluable life skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life. Some examples may include communication capabilities and leadership qualities, both of which are necessary when delivering orders to soldiers, yet can be transitioned into civilian life, where you may need to lead a team. In such cases, these skills are equally essential. You will learn decisiveness, discipline, and dedication, as well as many more. The military will mentally and physically challenge you, keeping you fit and teaching you the importance of looking after your health, something you will inevitably come to appreciate later in life. In addition, the military service would provide you with an abundance of practical skills, ranging from more practical activites such as ironing clothes and making your bed to more extreme tasks which may involve first aid and fieldcraft, including how to survive in the wilderness. These are only a few examples. Furthermore, I would like to mention how the skills taught will enable unfortunate or troubled individuals to gain a sense of purpose and belonging, therefore benefiting not just the individual but society as a whole. Many will leave national service with advantageous skills, leaving behind any potential life in crime and seeking new opportunities with their recently acquired abilities. Some may even decide that they actually enjoyed their time in the military. In the past, plenty of people have remained and moved up the ranks, not only creating a wonderful life they might otherwise never have had but also contributing to their country. Now, if you still think that taking the military route would not be for you, there is another available option: community service. "Many will leave national service with advantageous skills, leaving behind any potential life in crime." This is where you would give up only one weekend every month for a year to partake in any of the following public roles: the police, the fire service, the NHS, or some other form of public service. This would last only one weekend every month for a year—not a lot. In fact, that would only be 24 days. Yet think how rewarding that would be for the individual and the difference it would make to the community as a whole. "The traits learned by the participants would in return, only serve to better society." In conclusion, there seems to be many more benefits tof implementing a national service as opposed to not, with both the individual benefiting by gaining a whole new skill set and the communities across the country benefiting as well. The traits learned by the participants would, in return, only serve to better society. The RGS has a CCF contingent which students can join from Year 10. Is Mandatory National Service a Good Idea? Military training (2024) Standing to attention (2024)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODA2Njk=