Why won't "drafted soldiers" be motivated?

Question

Bush recently compared our war on "terrorism" the equivilent to the war on Nazi Germany-kids were drafted then and were motivated...if Bush is right why wouldn't kids be motivated to fight the war on terrorism if "drafted?"

Answer 1

Having been in Iraq and now in Afghanistan I can tell you when the rounds start coming your way you will get motivated very quickly. Now enlisting and training draftees is another story all together. The methods used today in the kinder, gentler military would have to be revamped. As far as success you can look at Russia who's Army is made up of mostly constript (draftees):

As of 2002, Russian Federation has a mandatory two-year draft but most Russians try to avoid it. The most widely used ways to avoid the military service are:

Studying in a university or similar place. All students are free from conscription, but they can be drafted after they graduate (or if they drop out). Graduated students serve one year as privates, but if they have a military education, they have the option to serve two years as officers. Persons who continue postgraduate education, or have a doctoral degree (Candidate of Sciences) are not drafted.
Getting a medical certificate that shows that a person is unfit for service. Sometimes such certificates are false and can be made for a bribe.
Bribing military or civilian officials responsible for draft.
Just not going to a draft station–draft-dodging. This can be a criminal offence, punishable by up to two years in prison.
A rarely used way is having more than two children, or one child younger than three years. (The latter will be dropped from the law in 2008).
There are other legal (described in the law) or illegal ways to evade the draft.
In Russia, a person cannot be conscripted after he turns twenty-seven.

In 2006, the Russian government announced its plans to gradually reduce the term of service to 18 months for those who will be conscripted in 2007 and to one year since 2008 and to drop some legal excuses for non-conscription from the law (such as non-conscription of rural doctors and teachers, of men who have a child younger than 3 years etc.).

As a result of draft evasion, Russian generals have complained on numerous times that the bulk of the army is made up of drug addicts, imbeciles, and ex-convicts, which in turn has lead to an overall decline of the morale and function of the Russian armed services. Conscripts often face brutal hazing and bullying upon their entrance into the military, known as dedovschina, some dying as a result. Suicide among Russian conscripts is at an all-time high.

Answer 2

Today's kids would only be motivated to fight if threatened with the loss of something, period. As long as our personal lives aren't threatened, why care. Look at the movie I Robot. In one scene there are teens picking up bats, knives, anything they could fight with to battle against the robots. Why? Because, their freedom was threatened by something else. I would venture to say if something was about to be taken away from us which we felt passionate about, there would be a HUGE uprising. We would need the military to restore order amongst ourselves first.

Secondly, there is a distinct difference between the war against the Nazis and the "war on terrorism." The Nazis threatened the entire world, wore uniforms, and had an ideology. There were clearly defined battle lines in WWII, and we knew who we were fighting. In today's war on terrorism (read war on Islamic extremism) we don't know who the enemy is. The enemy is everywhere and nowhere. Remember Vietnam? The military was a hollow one back then when there was a draft with similar blurred lines and we all remember how that one turned out: Go in, declare victory, accomplish nothing, pull out.

In order to motivate somoeone you must sell the product and get them to believe that what you are trying to get them to do is right. By accomplishing this, you will be able to do what the Islamic extremists have been doing for millenia: Get people to become martyrs. That is the essence of true leadership.

Answer 3

This is not meant as for or against the war, I do feel for our boys over there, many our my stepsons age and I talk to his Friends quite often when they do get to come home for a bit, I don't think I ran into one that really wanted to go back. Every one of them had pain in there eyes. That is just a plain difficult situation to be in, no matter what your beliefs, being in war is not something you look forward to after you had a taste, but in case of a draft you will find most will do there job. I do think there is a chance for a draft with the Democrats, I do think the president would loving the idea, no matter what he says. he says, there is no end in site and we will be there a long time, he keeps extending peoples enlistment, you see a 1/2 dozen Army or Marine Ads a day, Military says it doesn't have enough people, somethings going to happen. BUT I think we are at now where we were towards the end of the Vietnam way, just don't think we are in a good position, no matter what and most people are at there wits end the way it is since when you look at everything, nobody knows why were at way (the ones that read)
God Bless our troops

Answer 4

Well, I think the first answer got it best.

WWII was an event that not all America was for until Pearl Harbor.

We were attacked on our soil, and so most Americans were clamoring over each other to have a chance to serve. Yes, the draft was part of that, and they served with pride.

We had a similar event that drew America together, 9-11.

However, Bush and Rummy approached it differently. They went into Afghanistan - that part was ok - and they didn't need a draft for that.

Then they lied, said Iraq had WMD's, and invaded. More importantly, Bush took the advice of Rummy - go in fast and light, with few troops.

Big mistake. Now we need the draft, but America isn't behind this war. Of course people won't support the draft. It's just like Vietnam.

Unfortunately, with Iran and N. Korea waving their banners around, we will need the draft to replenish our forces. The Army is barely making recruitment goals, and this is going to get harder and harder the longer we stay in Iraq.

Hence - the draft.

Answer 5

They are worhless today, their parents have given them everything on a silver platter, so if they had to do something in the military they didn't like they wouold break down and cry for mommy and daddy. They are not motivated in today's times as tghey were in the past.

Answer 6

Well, a rough draft is not your final copy, so it does not have to be perfect. If you are writing it, make sure you are able to read it and others can too. Your rough draft is just like a guide line for your final copy. So you will eventually improve it.

Answer 7

in my opinion there would be 2 options....kill or be killed. if their lives were in danger i think they would become pretty motivated real quick. there's always been and always will be a possibility of a draft, guys have to register at 18 for SS, what do people think that's for? i think all americans should be registered including woman, and i for one would go if my country needs me.

Answer 8

I believe you are refering to the Hitler youth. They were motivated because they were brain-washed in believing that Hitler was the greatest thing since sliced bread, not that it takes much to brain-wash a child.

Answer 9

because that war seemed legitimate, millions were dying. this war is pointless, trust me, i was there. the news doesn't capture anything. if you really want to know how pointless and useless this war is, sign up. you will see first hand within about 4 months.

Answer 10

Let me force you AGAINST YOUR WILL to do something for me. Let's see how motivated you are!