President Barack Obama has suggested giving young people two free years of community college in hope that this will translate into employable skills. If our politicians really wanted to address the problem of offering young people more opportunities, than they should consider this:
Once a teenager leaves high school and reaches the age of 18, every American citizen — both male and female — should be required to give two years of government service. They could choose between two years of non-combat, U.S. based National Guard service or two years in a civilian conservation corps for their service commitment.
Every state sponsors a National Guard unit that involves military training and may serve as a stepping stone toward a career in the military, police or fire departments. Those who choose the National Guard option would be stationed and trained in the United States. In the case of a natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood, state National Guard units could be called upon to come to the assistance of other units in other states, but in no event would a National Guard member completing his or her service commitment be called upon to serve outside the borders of the United States. Upon completion of the two years of National Guard service, those desiring to pursue a military career could enlist in any of the various military branches, but there would be no obligation to do so.
I suspect that the majority would choose the civilian conservation corps. This group would have the goal of rebuilding American cities and rural infrastructure. Municipal owned housing and private housing that has been vacant for more than two years would be purchased at fair value and turned into Habitat for Humanity projects. We have an opportunity to revitalize the worn-down parts of our urban areas.
In rural areas where there are fewer such opportunities, the conservation corps would focus on rebuilding bridges and renovating old schools. Every congressional district would receive the same assistance in terms of dollars and manpower. It would be up to the local district to decide which projects will take priority.
Upon completion of the National Guard service obligation or the civilian conservation service obligation, honorably discharged members would be entitled to purchase a housing unit built by the conservation corps at cost. The house would be deed restricted and could only be used for a personal residence and not for rental. After owning a home and living in it for minimum period of five years, the owner could sell the home and keep any profit.
Every person would be paid the equivalent rate currently being provided to an entry level enlisted military recruit. While serving, each person would live in dormitory style housing.
After completing their service commitment, the government would offer matching dollars, up to $30,000 per citizen, toward obtaining a college degree. This would not be a student loan but a dollar for dollar match. To get matching government dollars, the students would be spending their own money and thus have "skin in the game." When our children graduate with an associate or bachelor's degree, they would not have the added burden of student debt. Going forward, the federal student loan program would be exclusively for graduate and doctorate programs.
This program would give every teenage citizen a true head start in life. Upon completion of the two years of service, our youth would have some employable skills, money in their pockets and a common experience shared by all young people regardless of race religion or economic status.
America is the land of opportunity. It is high time that we spend money on our young people. Let's give them the opportunity that they deserve and let's do it in a way that we all benefit from their service.
Bill Eitze a certified financial planner and longtime resident of Howard County. His email is billeitze@comcast.net.