In my opinion the tactics (cash bonuses, targeting disenfranchised youth, dangling post-secondary education etc.) that are used to recruit individuals can be very shady. I would rather they have "volunteers" seek them out instead of trying to lure kids. And yes I know that young poor kids do not represent the entire military but they sure are the backbone of it.
Another reason that I feel the service is semi-voluntary is because of stop-loss orders. My brother who was in the army served during the invasion of Iraq in '03, received a stop loss order, and then served an additional 1 year tour. Do you think that service is voluntary after a contract has been fulfilled or is this a backdoor draft?
2006-10-05 18:25:23 · 15 answers · asked by I Hate You More 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
back2skew... -
My brother's contract was fulfilled. Stop-loss policy is the involuntary retention of troops.
2006-10-05 18:40:39 · update #1
I read where the Department of Defense freely admits that the military is an all-recruited force and not an all-volunteer one.
2006-10-05 18:34:49 · answer #1 · answered by abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The stop-loss only affects soldiers in critically needed fields, and only for those who are still within their 8 year obligation.
No one has been drafted since the early 70's. If a service member has not completed his 8 year military service obligation, he is eligible to either be retained, or recalled to service. It's all there in black and white in his enlistment contract.
As far as "targeting" disenfranchised youth, I take exception to that comment, as I was a recruiter for the Army for four years. We called everyone on the lists of students that we had. We didn't look to see who was disenfranchised. We looked for those who did well on their test scores, and who had an interest in what we offered.
We did exactly what other organizations did. College recruiters worked the same market we did, and offered scholarships, etc. Why not the military?
And I also take exception to your comment of poor kids being the backbone of the military. Where I recruited, it was mostly middle-class kids. Naturally, there are areas where poorer kids get recruited, but if they want to improve their lot in life, the military offers a way to do it. It's not the only way, but it is a good way.
2006-10-05 20:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to remember that military service is also a job. Employees in the civilian world offer benefits to attract workers, so why is it shady when the military does it? After all isn't it one of the most important jobs there is, shouldn't those that serve be offered something? I think everyone by now knows that if you join the military there is a chance you will have to go to war, or be deployed outside of the U.S. Also on stop loss, the recruiter tells you about the chance of stop loss before you sign, mine did he made very sure I knew that I could be extended past what I signed up for, and guess what I was. It sucked yeah but that's what happens. Its not a form of draft, its a way to stop a draft from happening and keeping people that are better trained in a dangerous situation. Stop loss and everything else that could happen to a soldier is explained to them before they sign, your contract is explained and you do have opportunities to ask any questions you want. You can walk away at anytime prior to signing on the dotted line. So the military is voluntary, so one forces anyone to sign it is totally up to the individual. Even though there are perks to joining, no one is coerced into doing so.
2006-10-05 18:40:06 · answer #3 · answered by in vino veritas 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The mililtary is strictly voluntary. The individual makes a choice to join, or not. Whether the individual receives any bonuses is another issue. I know that I NEVER in my 20 years received a bonus. You can look at it this way, too. Playing sports is voluntary, right? What about the bonuses and million dollar paychecks? Semi-voluntary? Crap. If the military offers you a deal, you have the choice to take it or not. If a civilian business offers you a bonus, you have the choice to take it. Life is about choices, and the results of them. Military is ONLY voluntary. Nobody is forcing you, or anyone else, to join. In fact, a judge can't tell someone, "Join the military, or go to jail." That has been outlawed.
As far as your brother goes, all military personnel sign the same contract. The contract reads "until released from service". Naturally we all have (I had) an "ETS" date; however, the military has the authority to hold personnel past their ETS date in case of emergency. It's called involuntary extension. It happens. It's legal. And the military is still voluntary.
2006-10-05 19:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by My world 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
perhaps it quite is not the individuals that are the Keystone Kops, however the Iraqis. It basically seems they only stand around advertising shies kabob jointly as their cities are being destroyed by their fellow Muslims. i ask your self what share Iraqis killed by their very own human beings than by individuals. Why do i'm getting the sensation your counsel and concerns are coming from the media and not attempt against journey? conflict is a complicated ecosystem. it is confusing to combat a conflict and rebuild an infrastructure of a rustic. in the time of previous wars we centred on destroying the enemy and worried approximately rebuilding to the conflict replaced into won. because I have not any thoughts to the modern concern and function no longer been to Iraq i won't make judgments on what's quite occurring over there. yet I do get disillusioned as quickly as I see protection stress troops portray homes jointly as the Iraqis stand around observing them paint. How lots intelligence or braveness does it take to paint a development,. i think of you may pass over there and tell the protection stress a thank you to do issues and get each and every little thing straightened out.
2016-10-15 21:36:16 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are also drawn to the private sector of work by benefits. Whats wrong with money for college, cash bonuses, great training for youth. Now about your brother contract being fulfilled. Did he serve 8 years, because you must serve 8 years either active, guard, reserves or inactive reserves for your contract to be completely fulfilled.
2006-10-05 19:10:58 · answer #6 · answered by show_em_your_badge 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know of anyone forced to join the military for many years. If you like the deal, join. If not ,don't. It's your choice. Joining because you think you're getting a good deal is not being drafted or patriotism. That's greed.
2006-10-06 16:56:20 · answer #7 · answered by blindogben 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever...if parents aren't smart enough to talk this over with their kids about choices...Problem 1 with America is parents not taking interest in their children...they spend more time asking goofy questions and giving goofy advice on Yahoo Answers then parenting...stop loss is in the contract as Army needs...if anyone has any doubts at all...please don't join....
2006-10-05 18:42:35 · answer #8 · answered by loofa36 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is unless you get the Draft re-instituted...all voluntary, but once ur signed up then you belong to them unitl u full fill ur contract
2006-10-05 18:35:00 · answer #9 · answered by back2skewl 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Umm...Yes. Unless you know of someone whos been drafted in the last 20 years.
2006-10-05 18:32:59 · answer #10 · answered by gberg_4 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋