It used to be a lot more common then people might remember, but for minor infractions of law committed by someone, judges sometimes wouldtell you.. You have two choices...you can go to the Army Recruiter and enlist, or you can go to jail. This was not done for major infractions of the law because for the most part the different branches of the service did not want hardened criminals. Actually it did a lot of good for some young people. They entered the military, learned responsibility and discipline and also developed some self esteem and respect forothers. When they did their tour, they often times walked a better path in society. Then I new a couple of them that ended up in the brig and stayed there a long time..

Actually the military is not the end of the world for many. Some countries require all people of legal age do a mandatory small stint in the military. It might do a lot of young people a world of good actually. I personally know some young people that really need something to make them understand that they are not the center of the universe. They would soon learn that the world does not revolve around them, and that their selfish me me me attitude just does not cut it.