What do you think about Military Draft?

Question

"Here's something that many people don't realize -- Even when the Army missed their recruiting goal for four straight months last year, they still turned away thousands of volunteers. Why? In the past 21 years, the Army (and the other services) have markedly increased enlistment standards. For example, joining with a GED used to be routine. Today, only a few get in the door with a GED.
Long, long, long before a draft would be considered, we would see the Army relax enlistment standards, allowing more recruits with GEDs, and approving more waivers for criminal history and minor medical conditions. This, alone would allow the Army to easily meet their established recruiting goals. I would hate to see this happen. Our military is the best in the world today because of our high standards. But, if a draft were implemented, standards would necessarily decrease in any case." by Rod Powers

Why a Draft is a Bad Idea

Training. For more than a quarter of a century, the United States Military has been an "all volunteer" service. During that time, the military has dramatically (and successfully!) changed the way it trains and the way it fights. In order to implement a draft, we would have to change the entire way the military trains and operates today. This would (in my opinion, and the opinion of senior military leaders) result in a much less effective military.


A draft is a good way to fight wars of 50 years ago. It is a lousy way to fight wars today. Today's military members are highly trained professionals. The days of giving a couple month's of training on firing a rifle and tossing a grenade, then sending men off to combat are long, long gone. In today's military, even the basic infantry is "high tech." You don't train someone to operate and maintain highly sophisticated military equipment overnight.

"it would take another 12 to 18 months to train them and form them into new combat units. In short, if we instituted a draft today, inductees would not be effective until about two years from now (at which time, their two year service commitment would be over).

Qualifications/Disqualifications. For more than 20 years, each of the military services have come to rely upon the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) testing program to determine whether or not one has the aptitude to learn military jobs. If a draft were re-instituted, it would be far too easy for individuals who did not wish to serve to intentionally score low on this exam. The military would have no way of knowing which skills these individuals would be capable of learning. As I said, even today's infantry is "high tech," and we have to have the ability to determine whether or not one even has the mental capability of succeeding before we waste thousands of taxpayers dollars to pay for the training."

Answer 1

The draft is a horrible idea. I do think that because of video games, (such as Battlefield 2 and such) that people know very good tactics and such, but this is real life, most of the young people today could barely survive in the wild, so imagine a war.

My solution to the problem would be this:

There needs to be a world power, to help with this evil (which is Al Qaida) which they are in Iraq, hence the name Al Qaida in Iraq, but at the same time we need to secure ourselves at home... They say there are sleeper cells in America, well we need to find them, and make sure our borders are secure so we can prevent another 9/11.

But a draft would not solve anything, only thing it would do is put more of our young men and women in Iraq. That Charles Rangel guy is a nut case, why would he think of a way for us to leave Iraq by sending thousands more?!?

Answer 2

The draft is a horrible idea, not for lowered Army standards but for forcing people to fight in a worthless conflict. If this was a war worth fighting there would be enough volunteers.

You say that the Army has been increasing enlistment standards. Then why has the Army increased the maximum age limit on new recruits and also allowed HIV positive individuals to join?

Hardly anyone with a GED is turned away from enlistment, furthermore new recruits don't even need a GED to enlist in the Army, there is a program in place that will help them get their GED once they are in the Army.

The training new recruits receive is hardly adequate for the current situation in the Middle East. I enlisted in the Army shortly after 9/11 and I was given a few months of basic training and a few more of AIT, in less than 7 months I (a brand new recruit) was standing in Baghdad. The training I had received was almost worthless in this new enviroment, and my whole unit was horribly under prepared for a deployment (i.e. humvees with no doors or armor against even small arms).

You say if a draft were implemented, standards would decrease, standards can't go any lower when they are already at the bottom.

Answer 3

All valid points. I have to say. The Army infantry man can not be all that different from say a WW2 soldier. The weapons and equipment have changed sure, but the platoon level tactics are very similar.

You, do realize every major conflict America has fought in has had a draft at one time or another. From the War of 1812 up to and including Vietnam.

If the Draft needs to be used to get the American People off their butts to support the WAR then so be it. I have been there. USN 00-06. Not a ground pounder. But, I would go back if I could.

Thanks

Answer 4

We need 500,000 to 1 million troops in Iraq. Draft is necessary. I was enlisted with a GED but I had so many college hours that it was waivered. And I was a troop of qualities.


We need 500,000 to 1 million troops in Iraq. Stability will be in order, USA has 1 million+ active duty & 1 million+ reserve. We need to draft a million or 2Million to train and switch out with the already enlisted, comissioned active and reserved troops. Give the millions of in-country captured illegal immigrants and ones caught crossing our borders an ultimatum to join the military or stay detained and sent back home. We need to build our man power and militarize the border. I see a military statehood of America soon and its not a bad thought. Build our force and allied strength to go into regions of world threatening regimes and do like we did in Nazi Germany. We are looking at 40-50 years of conflict in these extremists states.

Conclusion -
500,000 US and allied forces plus
India and Pakistan helping to stabilize Afghanistan.
500,000-1,000,000 Allied and US forces needed in Iraq. After stabilizing Iraq 2 million to stabilize Iran.
Allied force including China of 3 million or more to N. Korea.
Super Allied force 3-4 million with African Union to Battle extremists there.

Answer 5

I think the draft question has been played out. I have seen it at least 5 times today alone. get over it , it will never happen, it doesnt need to happen, and if in whatever fantasy land those who live in it did happen, oh well go serve and shut up.