Would it be a good idea to send prisoners off to fight our wars instead of the draft?

Question

Criminals are so good at killing anyway...why not let them use their talents to benefit the country.

Answer 1

Have you ever heard of AWOL? The only good thing about that idea is that it gets them out of the country.

Answer 2

No.

Simply put, soldiers are highly motivated, highly trained disciplined professionals, volunteers who have abandonned one lifestyle to jump into a new one that is drastically different.

Not everyone can withstand that change, hence the numbers that flunk out in their first year in the service.

Also, soldiers are a different breed of men. If anything, they are loyal to one another before anything else and put the mission ahead of themselves. Criminals, on the other hand, are not precisely team players who would do well in that kind of environment. Also, a soldier's job requires strong ethics and the ability to think clearly under fire. Those are a product of having spent time in the uniform and of extensive training. Things that would be impossible to provide to a large number of prisonners.

There is also the cost factor. The costs required to train, equip, arm and supervise a convict army would be prohibitive at best.

Convict units would be useless at best, and a hazard at the worst. If they are to be attached to the military in any way shape or form, the only semi-viable way would be as work parties for jobs like working the warehouses, loading supplies or janitorial work. At least that way they can be put to use at low cost. And even then, I would limit it to those who offer the least amount of threat to society.

Answer 3

My wife keeps commenting this would be a good idea. Me, having served in the Army for eight years and 13 months in Iraq, I don't think this is a good idea. For one, the Army requires smarts now, it is not the Army of old where just anyone can pick up a weapon and fight. Two, the Army needs discipline, lots of it, what would you expect from people who do not accept rules in life. Three, convicts, as much as they seem fearless and tough, they would start crying as soon as the bullets start cracking near their ears. Again, it's that DISCIPLINE factor.

Answer 4

Since criminals are unable to function within society's perameters, it is highly unlikely they would be able to perform in a discplined manner within a combat environent. Bottom line, violent criminals are motivated by cowardice and selfishness...volunteer servicemembers are selfless and believe in something larger than themselves. Would you want some thug criminal fighting along side a loved one? Would you feel comfortable knowing that there back is covered? If so...you must not think highly of your loved ones...nuff said.

Answer 5

Send prep-school graduates instead; their very existence is a crime against a democratic nation. Vietnam in reverse: real Americans stay home, while those who brought us the war have to watch their brats get slaughtered.

Answer 6

The US military is blessed witht he most professional military that the world has ever known. Why mess with a formula that allready works? The military requires intelligence, wit, skill, hard work, a sense of professionalism, ability to follow orders, self discipline, moral's, ethics, honor, etc. Basically, everything that convicts aren't. It's difficult enough to get a security clearance even with something as subtle as a parking ticket, meaning it would be impossible for someone convicted to get one.

Answer 7

The mere insinuation of a comparison between trained, honorable soldiers and convicted ous felons is incredibly offensive.
Try again.

Answer 8

If they answer a list of questions to see if they would be for protecting their country as well as how mentally stable they are, it may not be a bad idea. If they get out of line once there should be dire consequences.

Answer 9

The last thing I want is a bunch of heavily armed ex-cons running around.

Answer 10

You are kidding right ? How could you depend on someone who can't adjust to society in normal life, most are sociopaths with no sense of responsibility or self control. Try another approach.