I think the perception of the 'older generation' that militarty style discipline is the answer to society's ills is misplaced.
What is needed is the induction back into our culture of mutual respect and understanding, and this is not necessarily provided by the hieratrchical structure of military life.
Soldiers are taught that they do as they are told when they are told without question - which does instill discipline, and may well be suitable for a section of society that responds to this type of social framework, but it is by no means a 'catch-all' solution for everyone.
Young people slide into bad behavior for a vast variety of different reasons, and lumping them all together as needing 'discipline' in this sense is not being helpful.
My solution is, and alwyas has been, for the government to dtrop its obsession with university education, and pump some money into the opposite end of education - nurseries.
Nursery nurses properly trained and equiped are the solution - they can teach children from a very early age to interact properly, and enjoy being in a mixed group of people - which will ensure social cohesion (where do they get these phrases??!!) in later life.
It will take one - maybe two generations to filter through, but then we will have a generation of adults who not only respect themselves and each other, but will pass on good values to future generations.
Of course, it won't happen. Successive governments are looking for voters - and they are young adults, so nurseries will continue to be staffed by minimum wage teenagers who drift into that employment because they feel unsuitable for anything else, and have a vague fluffy notion that 'working with children' is a nice way to carry on.
It's not that simple, in either case - but real solutions cost real money - and that is why they are never considered or carried through properly.
it is ironic tha the current Education Secretary trumpets about giving discipline 'back to schools', when it was his party that took it away in the first place!!!!