Should we bring back the draft?

Question

I'm a retired US Marine that is tired of the whining,complaining attitude of most American Kid's. The values we fought for seem to be forgotten. If we had the draft it would take pressure off of the volunteer's and put it on the upper class to change things. If the politicians kid's had to put on the uniform it may change things. Also if we had the draft we would be more prepared for the battle's we are going to have to fight! ie: Korea, China, etc.Are kid's need to learn some respect. Semper Fi Gunny Woodall (30 years retired) Your Welcome

Answer 1

I think you are right on the money! Kids today, by and large, have no appreciation of the freedoms and rights that they enjoy and take for granted. Maturity levels in 18 to 25 year-olds are at an all time low. Work ethic among that age group is almost non-existant, and most think the world owes them a living.

I also am tired of seeing our country defended by poor kids who have few other options while the kids from upper middle class and wealthy homes skate by and enjoy the freedoms bought with the blood of those whom they consider beneath them.

I also think we have erred in raising the drinking age to 21. We have, in essence, bestowed conditional adulthood on our young adults. We talk out of both sides of our mouths. If you are old enough to go to Afghanistan and die for your country, you are old enough to have a beer on R&R. We can't tell them to act like adults when we still treat them as children.

By the way, thanks for your contribution to the freedom I enjoy. I graduated from high school in 1976 and my class was the third that missed the mandatory draft. A lot of guys I went to school with joined up anyway because they felt it was their duty and because they felt it was a good experience to prepare them for adult life, based upon what they heard from older family members.

It burns my cookies to hear young kids knocking our President and talking about how the war in the Mid-East is wrong. The fact that these wackos attacked us on our own turf, using VISAS we gave them, trained through programs our government provided, seems to escape their understanding. Our fighting forces and support troops everywhere deserve our undying gratitude and respect.

If I sound like a flag-waver, I admit freely and proudly that I am. If females could have gotten into the Marines in 1976, I would have been there. My favorite bumper stickers I've seen lately are....."If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a Marine" and "My kid went to Iraq so your kid could party in college". Both brought a tear to my eye. God bless you, and God bless the Marine Corps. They may be the only vestiges of the "real" America that are left!

Answer 2

The draft would be a disaster for both the public and the military. Yes, without a major direct threat to the US mainland since 1941 (I dont know how they just cant see 9/11 as being such... *sigh*) many Americans have become coddled and complacent and some structure would serve some of them good.

However, I do not want to be in a unit where many of the other soldiers do not want to be there. I will always wonder if we get into a tough spot, who is more likely to run: the guy who volunteered to be there fully knowing what he may come against, or the one that never wanted to be there in the first place.

Note, however, that all the talk in favor of a draft has come from the likes of Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, and Howard Dean. John McCain, Joe Lieberman, or anyone who is serious about national security is firmly against it, as are the vast majority of senior military commanders. Talk of the draft has only been used recently by Bush's opponents to try and scare younger voters, and parents into voting their way. The military today just isn't based upon waves of infantry divisions; with today's technology, a much smaller number of troops can be as effective. Of course, the selective service is still around in case of an extreme emergency.

As for children of the rich and politicians, this is a red herring. The percentage of congressional families with a family member in the service is roughly equivalent to that of the public at large. I, myself, have a BA from a very prestigious university and I work with many others with BAs and even a guy with a masters - we are all enlisted. That poor minorities are shouldering the burden of this fight also does not stand up to scrutiny as white males make up well over 50% of the casulaties to date, while their proportion in both the military and public-at-large is much, much lower.

How to instill values into kids? I really don't know, but I would start with getting rid of "Social Studies" classes, and bring back civics. The constitution, declaration of independance, federalist papers, etc should be required study for all high school students. That most people today think that the United States is a democracy just goes to show that they do not know even the most fundamental aspects of our government and society.

Answer 3

Just in response to what you said on my unrelated board ("Have you forgotten 9-11? Have you forgotten Saddam gassing his people? Have you forgotten the rape chambers? Apparently you have. See you in Canada, Not, but thank God there are young men and women willing to fight for you God Bless you anyway, Signed Gunny Woodall(USMC retired)") ... 1. i have not forgotten 9/11 but Iraq and Al-qaeda have nothing to do with each other... bush's "war on terror" was an excuse for his "war for oil"... 2. have i forgotten Saddam gassing his people or the rape chambers-No... and thats why its good there are VOLUNTEERS who are willing to fight for it... The draft is unnecessary

Answer 4

As far as I am concerned, ALL kids out of High School should be required to serve a minimum of 18 months in the Military. NO exceptions. That ought to help the US and create better future workers.

Answer 5

Mandatory service works in other countries, but in our society, I'm not convinced it would. I say that because I'm convinced that the politicians now would never institute it. It would be too politically un-popular. I served 6 yrs, USMC, and think that it would be over-all a beneficial requirement. God knows that the generation coming up needs something more structured than Myspace to provide direction in their lives.

Answer 6

I don't think that we need to reinstate the draft right now, I don't think that it's needed.

However, if we were to reinstate the draft I do not think people should complain. You're a citizen of the United States and it's your duty to fight to protect your country.

I however do not think that women belong in the military.

Answer 7

even as his economic restore has us all in the line even as total cities become ghost cities from authorities for-closer even as the recent authorities autos new variety is a lame donkey even as ending his 0.33 12 months in workplace and packs of untamed canines now rome the line is search for of sparkling aborted babies even as a wait in line for clinical take care of 10 hours receives you a used band-help and we are all starving and decreased to cannibalism and iciness is placing in. No timber or something to burn to keep warmth as three hundred million are placed to the mercy of the elements it ought to get a touch drafty and yea it should be the doings of Barry.

Answer 8

I agree only as far as it should be politicians' kids who should be drafted first, then everybody else.

Answer 9

yes and take all the imigrants first and if they don't like it they should leave this would show how much they wanted to fight for us or just live our welfare system