Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Bascailly they really found in the 60's that they ended up with alot of unfit potheads in the draft. the military now performs much better IMO. When I was in in 1968 it really got bad because bascailly so mnay were unfit to serve. With today much smaller force sinvce clinton's cuts :i doubt they want to return to the draft really.
If a draft was required then a lot of people will be in jail. I know of a lot of parents who will try to hide their child or get them over the boarder if a draft happened to save them from the military. A lot of people do not wish for violence and will rather opt out of the draft and go to jail than enlist.
So if a draft was required for all men and women when they turn 18 then 1/5 of them each year will most likely go to prison than join the army.
I thought there were 5 of us in our boot camp company , and didn't know til near graduation there were 20 of us.
It wasn't til near my discharge ,that enlisted men higher rated than me on the flightline, learned I was a 2 year draftee and they were shocked.
Most of my rural neighbors my age are Vietnam vets ( Army) and served honorably.
Many were highly decorated soldiers.
According to what I have read; the majority of Vietnam era draftees did their job and they did it honorably. In fact, I once saw a poll by the VA that indicated most would do it again if they were asked and that the overwhelming majority are proud of their service.
People constantly deride the draft but they tend to forget that 6 out of every 10 US military personnel in WWII were draftees ... a much higher ratio then was the case in Vietnam (only 2 in 10 were draftees). The majority of the guys at Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, etc were draftees too.
1. No one wants to owe up to it, but there is a quality problem among many recruits in the armed services. We have those who haven't completed schooling, those who have committed petty crimes, and other people who are less than committed to serving their country.
2. It would be good for young people to have to accept some sort of responsibility or committment in terms of defending and protecting the nation. We have emphasized freedom in our country for so long that a huge number of people have no concept that there are actually responsibilities that go along with this.
3. There are too many people in the military to earn rewards and benefits rather than to serve their country. The country shouldn''t have to bribe people with huge benefits to get them to do that which is their duty.
4. It would lead to less involvement in wars we shouldn't be fighting. If the sons of the rich and middle class were all forced to serve this country we would be having a real debate about whether its worth continuing the fight in Afghanistan and other places. The President wouldn't get a blank check from Congress to engage in such conflicts where there are at best marginal gains to be had for our country and society.
5. It would promote greater tolerance and cause more unity among our countrymen. The military is a vast melting pot. It would give the rich kid from the Hamptons in New York an opportunity to meet and understand poor kids who grew up in Watts in Southern California.
6. It is morally wrong that only the poor and less educated serve (and perhaps die) for their country in the military while the rich and middle class avoid service. This country belongs to ALL of us and All of us need to do our part.
Finally, just so young people can't claim they are being picked on, I propose some sort of limited draft for older healthy people who could render some valuable national service either in the military or out of up to age 65. Age shouldn't be away out of the draft either.
What say you?
What you are advocating is endentured servitude. To me that goes against the spirit of the Constitution. I may not be against a mandatory military service in a critical national emergency. Even then I am not sure that is the way to go. In world war two when the nation as a whole felt it was time to respond to the Pearl Harbor attack they responded without having to resort such national and drastic measure.
Military service is a duty people want to do. It should not be some type of social engineering to make sure people appreciate their contry in a mandated way.
I do believe military service can do good for some people. It can teach discipline, leadership, etc. but it should be something an individual wants tod.
I just retired from the Army after 32 years of service and did see how military service was good for many young people, including I. However, as I said it should be voluntary, take care.
Bascailly they really found in the 60's that they ended up with alot of unfit potheads in the draft. the military now performs much better IMO. When I was in in 1968 it really got bad because bascailly so mnay were unfit to serve. With today much smaller force sinvce clinton's cuts :i doubt they want to return to the draft really.
You made that up. Who is 'they'? IMO says it all.
One soldier, during combat in Viet Nam, rescued two wounded soldiers under intense enemy fire. For his bravery he was awarded the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony. In press interviews he revealed that during his heroic actions he was stoned on marijuana.
According to what I have read; the majority of Vietnam era draftees did their job and they did it honorably. In fact, I once saw a poll by the VA that indicated most would do it again if they were asked and that the overwhelming majority are proud of their service.
People constantly deride the draft but they tend to forget that 6 out of every 10 US military personnel in WWII were draftees ... a much higher ratio then was the case in Vietnam (only 2 in 10 were draftees). The majority of the guys at Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, etc were draftees too.
Your statistics may be accutrate ( only 2 in 10 were draftees ) but quite misleading.
That is counting everyone who seved on Navy ships ,Air Force bases etc.( where there were no draftees in those relatively safe positions )
Here is a figure that shows how much dratees sacrificed in the Vietnam War---------25,519 ..... Us Army enisted men killed( non officers) -------------16,998 ..... draftees killed
Kinda makes that ......2 in 10 ...statistic meaningless.
1. No one wants to owe up to it, but there is a quality problem among many recruits in the armed services. We have those who haven't completed schooling, those who have committed petty crimes, and other people who are less than committed to serving their country.
I work for the military for an active duty clinic and have many military friends. I totally agree. The military has more trouble with alcoholics, drug use, child porn, etc then you can imagine. I see young people all day long being in for fit for duty screenings, being brought up on charges for a host of citations. You bet they are recruiting for quantity over quality. If they recruited for quality, they'd never get a paycheck.
2. It would be good for young people to have to accept some sort of responsibility or committment in terms of defending and protecting the nation. We have emphasized freedom in our country for so long that a huge number of people have no concept that there are actually responsibilities that go along with this.
I somewhat agree, I get where you are going with it and that we as a nation perhaps take advantage of our freedoms but I have a son and don't think he should be forced into a situation where he has to serve or be penalized.
3. There are too many people in the military to earn rewards and benefits rather than to serve their country. The country shouldn''t have to bribe people with huge benefits to get them to do that which is their duty.
True, it should be a no-brainer to want to serve but here again, you are asking young men and women to go into enemy territory and risk their lives. Yes, they need incentive.
4. It would lead to less involvement in wars we shouldn't be fighting. If the sons of the rich and middle class were all forced to serve this country we would be having a real debate about whether its worth continuing the fight in Afghanistan and other places. The President wouldn't get a blank check from Congress to engage in such conflicts where there are at best marginal gains to be had for our country and society.
lol, have to agree here.
5. It would promote greater tolerance and cause more unity among our countrymen. The military is a vast melting pot. It would give the rich kid from the Hamptons in New York an opportunity to meet and understand poor kids who grew up in Watts in Southern California.
But it already is like that. I've met foreign men and women who now serve for the US military, met poor kids, rich kids, etc.. they all do meet already and make new friends all the time.
6. It is morally wrong that only the poor and less educated serve (and perhaps die) for their country in the military while the rich and middle class avoid service. This country belongs to ALL of us and All of us need to do our part.
This already does happen. People who generally avoid serving are greatly against war and everything involved regardless of the good or bad that it's doing.
Finally, just so young people can't claim they are being picked on, I propose some sort of limited draft for older healthy people who could render some valuable national service either in the military or out of up to age 65. Age shouldn't be away out of the draft either.
As it stands, most of the people I've experienced in the military the four years I've worked here, you'd be shocked how many people go out of their way to not have to work. They fein illness, injury, come in with multiple issues just for the free medical benefits and bonuses. There is no screening as it is and when they join a lot of the younger people end up getting in trouble right away with the law and alcohol so how would you presume that everyone up to age 65 could join and have any great success when the ones who join now don't get screened enough?
What say you?
I say I see where you are coming from but we will probably not see a draft again in at least my lifetime. Who knows though, I suppose anything is possible. I have seen a lot of ways the military works and also great deficits and holes in the organization needing much improvement. As it stands, the military is in debt right now which is why people wanting to join now (and there are a lot who are out of jobs) are being told they have to wait. Yup, there is a waiting list to get in as it is. Looks like the economy took care of the draft.
I do think we should have used a military draft rather than having Guard and Reserve units being called up repeatedly.
Funny story (not) about the reservists. They have medical benefits during their two week drill, make-up drill or when they've been "activated". During that time if they get hurt, they get put on a line of duty. Once they are on a line of duty, they get free medical care, and paid because they got hurt while "on duty". Scam much? I think it's pointless to have reservists and believe you-me, they know this very well how it works and I've been told many times about people purposely getting hurt just for the benefits.
Now you've done it, the whining will be deafening. I agree with compulsory universal military service as long as no one is exempt. Unfortunately our pressent military hasn't the capability to train millions of recruits. It certainly would change unemployment statistics, we're paying them anyway. Decades ago even concientious objectors were trained as medics and there was an MOS for Duty Soldier, those who weren't capable of carrying a weapon
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
