National public service: Harvard Law makes the case

So the good news this week is that Harvard Law School – recognizing the importance of public service to society, is offering a huge tuition break to students willing to commit to public service. The bad news is that you have to get into Harvard Law School to be eligible.

But the case for public service – either on a national level or a more narrowly defined basis – keeps being made. I’m certainly not suggesting a mandatory military-type “draft”. I’m thinking more along the lines of Harvard Law – strong, financial incentives to supplement the emotional rewards.

One version of national public service would put $5,000 in a bond for each baby born in the U.S. If that child grows up and commits to public or military service for a year, the money with interest (probably more than $15,000) would be turned over to be spent on education, housing, or starting a business.

Other versions of public service plans, focusing more on the mission than on the money, could include an Education Corps (for training teachers), a Green Corps (for environmental training), or a Health Corps (for medical training).

Some of the presidential candidates talked about national service earlier in the campaign season, but we haven’t heard much from them lately. Might be interesting to see whether the idea is revived after the nominating conventions.