Replace military service recruiting and civil service hiring with a service requirement for admissions.
Military and/or civil service ought to be an admissions requirement for any individual student or for any higher education provider that receives any form of government funding (directly or through student - grants/loans/subsidies/etc…)
The civil service ought to be structured similarly to the military, with “bases” containing barracks, mess halls, regimented training/exercises, etc…
The civil service should be used to staff every governmental position, from fixing potholes to administrating agency offices - local to federal.
No more hiring. No more recruiting. Just attach staffing services to the admissions requirements. Move the “get people in” resources to the “educate people” resource budget.
Just as some make a career out of the military after starting as a recruit, some will make a career out of civil service after starting as a recruit.
Both experiences would provide direct operational exposure to how the government works (and doesn’t work). Both delay entry into college and career selection until after the individual has matured their understanding of the employment market some and after the individual has invested into the commons.
Those not wanting to participate can choose to not go to post-secondary school or enroll at a school that does not receive any government funds and pay their own way. Keeping both services entirely voluntary.