What if, like a handful of other countries, the United States required military service for at least one year for every citizen who reaches 18.

Meaning, a few weeks after the person turns 18, they go into the reserves, have a full time job during the week, and go home on weekends if they choose. This ends a few weeks after they turn 19, unless they wish to continue. This would give many people opportunities to learn a wealth of knowledge and technical skills.

The benefits of such an act could be payment of a college education for a certain number of years, or if the citizen is not planning to go to school, then cash would suffice.

Now, for the general well being of the United States, I believe this would cause a lot of people to straighten up their lives, get out of gangs, drugs, welfare, get out of their poor families, I believe it could prove to be a huge benefit.

The downsides are, of course, warfare. Being in the military, anyone would have a huge chance of being shipped off and dying.

What does totse think? What could be other benefits/downsides to this? It doesn't even matter if you don't live in the US, I would like your opinion as well.