The South Bend, Ind., mayor has laid out an ambitious plan to see 1 million high school graduates participate in some kind of service by 2026. His plan would create new service corps opportunities around climate issues, community health and senior care. ...

The proposal would provide student loan relief for those who dedicate a year of their lives to service. The goal is for “where did you serve?” to be as important a question at a job interview as “where did you go to college?” he said.

The rollout echoes programs created under President John F. Kennedy, who famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you would do for your country.” Buttigieg’s plan would build upon the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, both the brainchild of Kennedy.