SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Francisco-born comedian who is a veteran of Saturday Night Live is calling for the reinstatement of the draft. Rob Schneider, who is known for his pro-Trump, conservative views, took to social media Friday, calling for the nation to “restore the military draft for our Nation’s young people.”
“Each and every American, at eighteen years of age, must serve two years of military service,” Schneider wrote. “They could choose to serve part of that time overseas or in country at a volunteer capacity.”
“Being a citizen of the United States gives us unparalleled Freedoms and opportunities that are the envy of the world,” continued Schneider. “However, those Freedoms that we cherish do not come without a cost.”
Schneider pointed out that “Many Nations around the world require their young citizens to serve their country.”
Reinstating the draft, according to Schneider, “would serve many purposes in our society.”
“We would have all of our young men and women put into a rigorous physical training course that they could use for the rest of their lives,” wrote the comedian, “we would always have a standing army ready at all times including for domestic problems like natural disasters.”
Schneider contrasted military service with going to college, saying that, “Unlike in today’s Universities, our young people will learn how truly great their country is and how unique and incredible are the Freedoms that this Nation bestows upon them.”
Rob Schneider arrives at the premiere of “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
With our country currently at war with Iran, Schneider also suggested that a mandatory draft would make politicians less likely to engage in military conflict.
“Also, very importantly, we would have in service every segment of our society represented so that our elected officials would be more hesitant and not cavalier about sending their own sons and daughters off to a faraway war unless it was truly in our Nation’s interests.”
Schneider spent four seasons on SNL before going on to star in a series of big-screen comedies, including “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick,” and “The Animal.” The 61-year-old actor has never served in the military in any capacity.
Mandatory conscription in the United States ended on January 27, 1973, amid the winding down of the Vietnam War.
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