Is it realistic to believe we can defend this country w/ a volunteer military?

Question

Many will grab the military benefits ,then try every trick to avoid going to war .

Wont their friends and relatives help to turn others against the war?

Slabsided--- We have a volunteer army, but is it really working?
Are there many fearful soldiers behind the war protests?

DUKALINK6--- Has it really been working?

Yes there is an indirect way to avoid war.Just as in Viet nam; try to turn everyone against the war on "moral grounds".

MICHELLE---WW2 was not a volunteer army,yet they fought bravely, as they did in Korea and Viet nam

JESI---You're really not giving enough credit to the young men and women who are pursuing careers outside the millitary.
I have seen these people become very brave soldiers in Korea and WW2, when they were called to duty.

Answer 1

no, we can not defend this country with a strictly volunteer army as so many men and women will see the others who are so scared or lazy to help defend our country they will be so discouraged they will say why should I do it all and let these sorry asses lay on their butts and get rich while I put my life on the line for them , how many times have you heard the same from men who were working and they see able bodied men on welfare sitting around taking it easy and have as much as they do,and they are right it is unfair, Also our forefathers have warned us of the consequences of a volunteer army, it is the fastest way known to becoming a slave state or a dictator state, what happened to every country who had a volunteer army? so before you decide you want a volunteer army look at the downside is this what you want? every able bodied man should be required to have at least basic training and be ready for military if needed , not only would it help to teach our people discipline,more people would be more proud and patriotic, I feel the benefits would be worth it just in the amount of kids going to prison as when they have pride , discipline and patriotism they would not be as apt to get into gangs or other trouble,

Answer 2

Every professional, career military officer will tell you that conscription does not make for a better armed servies, it makes for a larger, and often weaker one.

There is a lot of good information out there about it. Part of the reason the US is considered the premier fighting force in the world is that the soldiers want to be there. It is not like in conscription services where the soldiers are there long enough to learn a little and if and when the time to serve comes they cannot perform. Look at pre-break up USSR troops, or even the IDF in Lebanon, it wasn't a lack of will, it was a lack of skill that lead to their failure.

Answer 3

Yes, it is realistic. Our military is doing an awesome job. Turn off your tv, clean the cob-webs out and read something for a change.

Your scenerio is impossible. The military is contractual. There are no tricks to avoid going to war. Except less than honorable discharge with court martials, which they will carry for their entire lives.

Answer 4

Revolutionary War Volunteer Army
Civil War Volunteer Army
WW2 Volunteer Army
Iraq1, Iraq 2 all Volunteer
yep pretty good so far.

Answer 5

It depends on how militaristic our government is. If we want to wage a lot of wars, spreading democracy here and there, then demand for soldiers will outstrip supply and a draft will be needed. At some point, we have to stop overusing as well as misusing our volunteers.

Answer 6

NO

The majority of American men are stuck in a soccer Mom lifestyle. They are more interested in getting more cup-holders in the SUV than the Storm on the horizon.

GO big Red Go

Answer 7

We've been doing it for decades. What's your point?

You can try any trick you want, but getting out of your obligation to the military is not easy. And, any trick that does get you out of going to war (short of maiming yourself) ends your benefits.

Answer 8

Its absolutely realistic. I've said this before - If we are attacked or the nukes start flying somewhere, watch our young men and women sign up. They WILL make us proud!

Answer 9

the military doesnt want forced participants and the people dont want it. a draft would get more people killed than kill themselves. true patriotism of the masses is a long gone pipe dream now days.

edit: sorry eating and not paying attention to what I write. hey Im a stupid conservative.

Answer 10

They fight better than conscripts, merc, or draftees what else would you use what is a better alternative? A Robotic army?