For the record, I'm not in favor of a draft unless absolutely necessary.
1. I think one of the greatest mistakes of the Bush Administration was the failure to ask for "a call to service" on the evening of September 11, 2001. Not a draft; but a challenge to the young men and women across the nation to serve in the defense of their country. This request from the Commander-in-Chief would have resonated across the country. I absolutely believe that. It was the one opportunity, before the situation became partisan, to appeal to the youth of this nation to serve. Instead, the President told people to shop more. What a disappointment.
2. One constant we hear in society today regarding the War on Terror is that most the country is not personally invested in the war. It only affects the military and their families. Say what you will for the draft, but this would not be the case if a draft did exist. Everyone would have a vested stake in the war; their sons.
3. One of the greatest failures of the national Draft was deferments. We allowed the wealthy to be exempt. If the draft would someday be needed, we could not allow the sons from the wealthiest families to get out of it.
4. I graduated with 50 people in my high school class. Of the 23 males in my class, I cannot think of one that would have dodged a national draft. Sometimes, I don't think we give enough credit to the American people, particularly the youth. I have had many of my old classmates and friends tell me that "I would go" if they were drafted. I believe them. Granted, I think there would be some considerable resistance and possibly riots in the streets if the draft was brought back. Most of that would probably on the coasts. The majority of the nation would suck it up and do their duty. To caveat that, I believe that some of the young men we draft would be our best performers. Kids don't avoid military service because they can't hack it or don't have what it takes. It's just foreign to them and they tend to stay away from what they don't know.
5. I would argue that our country's sense of nationalism started to wane once we established the all-volunteer force and abolished the draft. Because no one HAS to sacrifice. No one bears any burden unless they choose too. I think this is simple logic; if there is no sacrifice, then there is no loyalty.
6. Although I think the all-volunteer force works just fine, a part of me wonders how well a partially-drafted force would work and if the nation would support it.
For those of you that are on the World Affairs Board, here is that discussion:
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/showthread.php?t=47505
Bookmarks