Hindsight is a wonderful thing right?
I agree with you, it would help to mitigate many of the problems in society, the US and other countries as well, and would quite probably prepare young people for the future in better ways than video games, Tik Tok, being lazy, taking no initiative and responsibility and other such nutbaggery that happens currently.
Having never been in the armed forces myself, I don’t know what kind of culture it promotes first hand, but I think it’s very important for the people of a country to have a commonly shared experience. Bringing people together from all walks of life, treating them in the same way, giving them life skills and training, and pushing them to compete and excel, I think it would do wonders for the world.
And, yes, pulling kids away from digital distractions, that would be an improvement too.
You say it well, people working towards a common goal promotes teamwork and collaboration and the world needs more of it.