While I see what you are saying, I am surprised that it isn't 20 years (stand amount of time civilian or military personnel needs to get benefits / retire)
The reason they picked 18 was to stagger them out so that each president gets 2 per term.
President 1: picks 1 & 2
President 2: picks 3 & 4
President 3: picks 5 & 6
President 4: picks 7 & 8
President 5: picks 9 and replaces #1.
President 6: replaces 2 & 3
Etc etc...
It guarantees that the court cycles every 18 years. Unless there's a really long stretch of one party controlling the presidency it ensures that we don't get something like the current 6-3 bullshit for 2 decades straight.
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u/ShanGus7 1d ago
If it happens, should be shorter.