Should military service be obligatory?

I do remember when it was in the US for men. And there were so many ways out, if you had money, that only the middle and poor  ended up in the army.  It caused a lot of friction. (Actually I think its good for all men and women to go through some sort of training, as long as it is for everyone.)

No. Simply put, military service isn't for everyone. 

Compulsive service would likely raise more problems dealing with those who fall under "less than completely motivated" (read: incapable or unwilling) than is worth the effort or expense.

I do think that young people should be induced to some type of community service as a part of their education curriculum.

Sir Humphrey Appleby had the definitive statement on reintroducing National Service. Take a minute to listen to his words of wisdom:

I am torn on this one. I am not someone who does well in such a structured environment. However being married to a military man, I am amazed on how ignorant people are of the military. I have talked to grown people who think everyone who serves has a kill or be killed mentality. They think all military personnel carry guns and shoot at people. In fact the infantry, those carrying guns into battle is somewhere around  4% of the army. There are the Marines that have a similar group. And the army is only one of five branches. The majority of the people in the military never see a battlefield. There are clerks, doctors, transportation, cooks, and so on. There are a large number of battle related jobs are not done from the field. Jobs like air defense, drones, fighter pilots. My husband did over 30 years in the army and I think the only time her carried a gun was when his was an MP for the first couple of years.

I've always thought the approach Heinlein posed in "Starship Troopers"* would be an excellent idea.  If you want to ever vote or hold public office, you have to do a tour of  National Service.    Not necessarily military but also something like Vista, Peace Corps, etc. 

*  Do not wastch the move by the same name.  It is terrible 

I don't know if the present day snowflakes could handle it. They might request safe places from mean people in the military, which would require the mean people to shoot them in the foot.

I personally think their parents should be required to be in the military so they can adequately train their children that our world does NOT revolve around their precious darling. But that's just me.