I grew up in an "anti-military" household but tried to sign up when I had no opportunities after leaving high school without a diploma (and was turned away). I

I grew up in an "anti-military" household but tried to sign up when I had no opportunities after leaving high school without a diploma (and was turned away). I wasn't trying to sign up to fight -- just to survive. It's clear that many who do sign up do so for the same reason. We collectively agreed on a national jobs program (via the military), so we should consider redirecting a significant portion of those jobs to a national jobs program that actually helps with domestic infrastructure with an emphasis on learning skills that translate into private sector opportunities. Then let those that do want to fight be the ones to sign up, and make more effective use of them. I'm still not a fan of the military industrial complex but national defense will always be necessary and should be staffed for defense rather than just keeping people off the dole.