I think those countries have it, not out of preference, but because they have an existential threat to the sovereignty of their nation. Like (South Korea defending itself from North Korea, Israel from the Arabs, Finland from the Russians). I don't think we have such a constant threat to our sovereignty, but you could argue that Al-Shabaab, Ethiopia or Kenya are ones.
I agree military skills are valuable and it would increase social cohesion, but I wonder how it would effect the economy though taking out young and productive men from it for extended periods of time.
