Bring back national service ?

Brian Sewell, art critic sets out why he thinks national service wouldn't work.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23979661-it-did-me-good-but-national-service-wont-work-now.do

Paul Daniels (Magician)  amongst other suggested young offenders be sent to help the troops in Afghanistan.
Tempting though this might be, it probably just shows why national service wouldn't work.   The army these days would like to think it has come a long way from squaddies mindlessly obeying order.  It it not very likely you would wish to put your life int he hands of a useless young offender.

When people talk about community work - it's usually something like litter picking or painting over graffiti.
Firstly this assumes there is an unending supply of litter and graffiti (there may be)  and that it is a suitable and worthwhile punishment.