A number of young people have tragically died as a result of gun crime recently, much of it gang-related. Among the advice from concerned and moral members of the public have been a growing number of calls for "a return to national service".   

Sure, conscription will teach feral teenagers that violence is wrong! Am I alone in observing a close parallel between armed forces and gangs? The former have official licence to invade neighbouring territories to shoot and kill those who disrespect their leaders (and anyone else unfortunate enough to get in the way), a behavior trait which I might have though we should be discouraging in adolescent gangsters.