Would it be a good idea to draft people into a reserve status or into the National Guard?

Question

Maybe it would be a good idea to draft people into the inactive reserve. That way, they would show up at their nearest reserve center or national guard armory once a year, to update their status such as dependents, medical situation, education level, etc. All would be required to do initial basic or boot camp and also attend a military specialty school, then go home and not have to worry about how they will finish college, take care of their family, etc. They would not have to show up in uniform or even cut their hair, etc. Then, if they do decide to go active duty or reserve drill status, there would be no problem getting in. I do not believe that there would be a need to activate these people, unless there was an extreme natural disaster or a need to activate for another world war that was a confirmed threat to the USA and territories on a mass scale, such as a nuclear war or invasion on our turf.

I must add, that when I was in the first time, 1972 to 1974, we had draftees. Most were ok. The biggest disciplinary problems was with those that were high school drop outs that enlisted. Basically, the draftees were willing to accept that they would be in the Army for 2 years, and then get out. Most draftee vets I know were glad they did it, but were also glad to get out.

Answer 1

I think anytime you draft you run the risk of bringing people in the front door that dont want to be here to begin with and their performance will reflect that and also they can and probably will cause serious moral problems. One reason todays military is so professional and effective is its an all volunteer military. No one is forced to be here.

Answer 2

You make a very interesting and well expressed proposal which I had never considered before.

Unfortunately, the Selective Service System (SSS) is the national law or calling up citizen fof service (as I am sure you are aware) and it "draftes" our young men to active duty into the REGULAR army and not the reserves. I make this distinction as today, nearly all commissioned officers (even West Point grads) are commissioned into the reserves. But the SSS does not draft people into the officer corp.

Thus if citizen between the ages of 18-26 were drafted under the current system the SSS law would need to be altered...and any law can be changed. Right now and since 2003 there are 2 bill in congress calling for the re-instatement of the active duty draft.

Hold on..both have been voted down or tabled in committee since 2003. By the way, the call for drating women too (military service or public service - both genders- but how many allowed to elect PS willbe determined by the needs of the militaty first...they get the number ofpeople they need). These ar HR 163 and S89. Oddly...both bills were introduced by Democrates. Rangle (D-NY) in the House and Hollings (D-SC). Not Republicans.

The problem with your unique idea (as I see it anyway) is at least 2 fold.

First, with the current demand for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the shorten time between deployment of troops back to Iraq, the extention of the troops time in country and the strain on the national and state guards makes people entering your version of an inactive draft very shaky.

Second,if your plan were placed into action I can practically guaranted after their AIT (MOS speciality school) they will be assigned to active duty. Especially since these men and women will be trained and available forservice.

Also, as to your opinion on what coditions they might be activated (good solid points) I have little doubt that terrorism and attacks on the US and our military bases, Embassies and critical intrests with only increase.

I do think your idea is good, unique and well thoughtout. Unfortuntely I just don't seeing it happen at this time in history.

Any if my personal views regarding terrorism, Iraq and our military letme make it clear.

I am a former US army officer.I spent 18 months in Iraq as a DoD contractor and during my time there my convoys werehit by IEDs 7 times and we lost people. I also stopped counting after 30 plus mortar rounds and 2 rockets landed close enough to me gain my attention. And, I am hoping to secure an new contract to return to IRAQ and work with the troops.

Again, an idea to think about.

Answer 3

I think there is some merit to your suggestion, however there is a slippery slope as well. The Swiss, Israelis, Russians and a few other nations have a system set up just like this suggestion of yours. In the case of the Swiss and Israelis, it works well. In the case of the Russians, it doesn't. I believe that there is merit to service though, be it through civil, military, medical, etc. I think the main reason it wouldn't happen though is for the reasons against it... morale, it is basically a low-scale draft. And the fact that it dilutes our military's specialization and makes it a massive infantry based military once again. And should it be called upon, the casualty counts would be massive in combat.

Answer 4

I was once a part of such an organization, briefly, during the Cold War back in the1980s; it was an extension of the State National Guard, and was called a Defense Force. More or less, it was designed to function as you stated above, as a sort of volunteer National Guard.

Answer 5

We should be like Switzerland and every person from the age of 18 to 47 should own a gun and be part of the country's militia. Then in time of war the entire country is the army. Think about that one!!

Answer 6

NO DRAFT ! The draft became into for Federal provider into the army. a individual would desire to keep away from the army draft by potential of enlisting into the different branches of the provider . united states of america shield is or became into seen provider because it would desire to be activated into Federal provider. Coast shield became into additionally provider besides as another occupations figured to be a area of nationwide protection desires like the provider provider marine.

Answer 7

Yes I do