National Service
Third world countries must learn to mobilise their manpower resources at the ab-initio youth stage for the ultimate future of both, the individual and the nation. Countries with diverse ethnicity and other problems emanating from sect if not caste, religion if not race, etc must evolve a process to bring the young together in one giant melting pot that will merge all the differences and bind them together to promote national integration. No country has a mix of more nationalities and religions in its populace than the US of A. It did not become a Superpower purely on its economic and military strength, USA became a Superpower because of the proper exploitation of its manpower potential, Along with the freedoms of democracy, universal conscription was mandated by law at a critical part in its domestic history, finessed by the Peace Corps initiative by John F. Kennedy that reached out to the world. Community service is at the heart of the American society and it is because of this selfless hands-on labour by a cross-section of the populace that the US has been able to cope with the major fault lines in its multi-ethnic multi-racial diverse religious populace. All four major wars, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and Vietnam, brought together whites and blacks, rich and poor, the educated and the illiterate, into one massive cauldron that wiped out all differences in the same manner as we envisage in Islam. In Pakistan, we have a major polarisation of society as the rich become richer and the poor poorer, all men becoming unequal. This further manifests itself in the Sindhi-Mohajir divide, the Shia-Sunni fault lines, etc. The penchant for separation along regional/religious lines is not confined to Pakistan alone but is increasingly a problem all over the world, in many cases in bloody manifestation thereof e.g. Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo, East Timor, etc. We pride ourselves in having the basis of our nationhood in Islam, yet we do not take concrete steps in ensuring all are equal in all senses of the word.
It is necessary to define national service in a far wider context than is used in the narrow sense of universal conscription even though the foundations must be built on a modicum of military training. National service of one year’s duration for both boys and girls should include soldiers’ basic training, consisting of only a 3 months (90 days) period. This is a must to inculcate discipline and togetherness, even the facing of minor adversities such as physical and mental strain brings people together. During the Second World War, US conscripts were given a maximum of 6 weeks training (Boot Camp) while potential officers were taken through a 90 day course (they were called “90 day wonders” by the rest of the Army). During the first 3 months stage it would be possible to sift out those among the boys and girls who display leadership qualities and are thus found fit to be commissioned officers. Boys should be sent (volunteers all) to a 6 months Officer Training School (OTS). Those who qualify OTS should be posted to an infantry unit to serve out their remaining three months there or sent for specialist training courses as per their option, such as Armour School, Artillery School, Anti-Aircraft School, etc. On the other hand, those who do not qualify or opt for OTS should serve 6 months in some unit, whether it is infantry, armour or artillery for six months forming a separate company, squadron or battery respectively as the case may be. During the last three months they will return to their communities reporting to their Local Bodies for Community Service. After the 3-month basic training period in which they would not stay in any camp but in their own homes, the girls who are found fit (and opt for) can do a short Officers training course for nurses. For the rest the options would be to go on to through either a nurse-training course or a primary education-training course for a period of three months. Both areas are of great concern to Pakistan, we need trained cadres in such disciplines. Thereafter, they would do community service for six months (or the balance of the service left) in or around the vicinity of their homes.
How does such “national service” help the individual? Such service is a great equaliser as is envisaged in Islam as the basic of relationship between human beings it inculcates mutual respect, trust and confidence. In the same uniform, in the case of boys living in the same accommodation, eating the same food, facing the same physical and mental hardships, a comradeship develops that can never be inculcated or taught theoretically or in any classroom. A large percentage of the boys group must do their basic training in Provinces other than their own; this by itself is a major education and will promote Provincial harmony. It will develop the character of the individual besides instilling discipline into him or her. For boys it gives the chance to become officers and earn reservist pay that will help them financially in getting them through college. In fact some colleges can be established by and run by the Armed Forces, giving higher education on scholarship to the most deserving among them. Boys also get a chance to specialise as reservists, whether armour, artillery, etc. Nursing is a must profession for girls because it teaches not only the basics of health and hygiene but also teaches the economics behind population control to would-be mothers of the future.
Similarly, girls who opt to go into primary education will find it rewarding to teach something of substance to the unfortunate children who are not rich enough to get adequate education, both theoretically and practically. The level of primary education will come up. This will create a better base for middle level and higher education in the future for students.
Besides the major element of national integration, the nation benefits from gaining a universal corps of trained, second line reserves for the Armed Forces, back-up nursing personnel not only for hospitals all over the country in case of war but trained cadres ready for service as required in every community in the country. At the ab-initio stage it gives practical training to the young of our nation in leadership, discipline, man management, etc besides making them trust their compatriots and instilling self-confidence. In time, those within Local Body units will become united in protecting those in their own localities whatever their race, religion or creed.
At what stage should the “national service” be made compulsory? And for whom? National service should be compulsory for students of both the sexes who have passed Intermediate or equivalent i.e. at about 15-16 years of age. This age is also just before the legal age for marriage, this ploy may be used by some parents. Obviously one does not want to affect the study/career of brilliant students, as such the top 25% in case of marks in each Board will be exempt unless they themselves opt to do the service. To facilitate entry into college later for those who have successfully completed national service, they should be given extra 10% marks to their overall total. All those who have done national service and qualify for college will be given free/nominal fee education in college.
Who will control the vast national service? Obviously the management on such a vast scale must be in the hands of the Army, but almost maximum of the staff managing the concept should be retired officers, JCOs, NCOs, etc, including those who run the basic training courses. A whole new organisation, merging the National Guards, should be created, that would oversee and manage “national service”.
Within the confines of an article in a newspaper (1200 – 1500 words) one can only touch on the basic outline of the concept, its objectives and management thereof. The idea can be finessed in many hundreds of ways; other sector/disciplines can be included after a detailed study by a Task Force. As a constructive initiative, it should be in the manifestos of political parties genuinely concerned with the state of disrepair in morale, institutions and above all, unity. One thing is vital for this country, that national service be initiated immediately to safeguard the integrity and unity of Pakistan.
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