Should there be a military draft in USA? Why?

Question

I'm doing a research project on military draft in school. My topic is that should USA citizens be required to spend 2 years in the military. Why or why not?

Also, if it' possible, please don't write so complex words. I'm only in 7th grade !

Answer 1

Yes there should. Every American should ensure that the blood of every man, woman and child flows freely over the soil of Iraq

Answer 2

No. The only possible justification for the draft would be national defense. But that should only be under extenuating circumstances. The idea that citizens should forced to spend time in the military isn't about national defense. It's about social engineering, i.e. using the military to force people to conform to a particular way of thinking. If a draft was used for nonmilitary reasons it would be considered socialism or statism. I'm not an absolute libertarian, but if there are any limits to state power over people's lives it should be the draft. Taxation and motor cycle helmet laws are minor nusianse compared with being forced to spend time in the military.

If the government can take "imminant domain" over young people in order to instill them with militaristic values then what's not to stop the government from taking "imminent domain" over people for other reasons? If this sounds far fetched look up the Buck v. Bell decision. In the 1920s US Supreme Court cited the military draft as justification for involuntary sterilization. If the government had the power to force people into the military for the common good, Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes reasoned that it also had the power to sterlize people.

Answer 3

You have some good answers here: I believe everyone should serve their country and personally believe everyone should serve in the military. I was in the military (both Army and Navy) for over 20 years and served with both volunteers and draftees. There are several benefits to having everyone (or most) with military training. First of all, it gives the nation a pool of people with at least some training in case there is a need for a large number of them, as in World War I and World War II.

I saw many come in the Army from the draft who need direction in their lives. The discipline and sense of accomplishment from the training caused many of them to "grow up" and become a credit to their community after their service. Also, they learned a trade which they could use to make a good life in most cases.

There are several advantages to an all volunteer military force. The military we have now is much better educated than the old one, because the standards to get in are much higher now. Many enlisted persons have college degrees and all officers are required to have one. They are better motivated because the want to be there. Some have the idea that the only people who go into the military are the ones with no place else to go. That is not true at all, the military still represents a good cross section of America.

Good luck with your report.

Answer 4

No, here's why-

* Volunteer armies have consistenly been more effective than conscription (drafted) forces, even when outnumbered.

* Many people are just not cut out for military life and would be ineffective as a soldier or any role in the military.

* Moral is extremely low because many of the people do not want to be there, unlike a volunteer army where you choose to fight.

* Every American SHOULD serve in the military, but this is still America and you shouldn't have to do any you don't want to.

Answer 5

I would say yes. I feel it would only help the completly mis-guided youth we have. Other countries have this in effect. I know Germany does. Every male has to serve at least two years between the ages of 18-25. I feel it brings a real meaning to being proud of where your from. It also signifies that you are an American.

I do see a downfall, being military myself, some people are not cut out for this job. Some people just cant handle the military and it is a complete waste of time and money to try and train these types.

Answer 6

Yes, public service of some sort should be a requirement. If one is going to live in this country they should contribute. In Germany the option is to serve the country as a Soldier or serve the community in various fields; usually at the hospital.

No, because the generation of today and tomorrow has spent too much time in the selfish mode. Bashing the government, trying to be an "individual" and working only for self. If we; this nation; actually wanted to be a nation of service the requirement would already be in place.

Answer 7

Meiye ... How did you come up with that topic for your project? That's an EXCELLENT topic, I assure you.

I have always felt that President Nixon's decision to suspend the military draft may have been his most grievous mistake, even more wrong than his missteps involving Watergate. I think that your paper should include the results of your research into why he decided to do that. Yes, because our involvement in Vietnam was winding down, we didn't need as many people in the military as were needed during the Vietnam war. However, I'd be anxious to know what other reasons he used as justification for this decision.

At the time of his decision, I feared that our nation's military would no longer be a fair reflection of our societal make-up. That in itself is not necessarily bad, however, I believe there have been many negative outcomes stemming from this change.

There will always be "many" people who know that freedom isn't free and they'll stand up and take their turn to help defend their homeland and the freedoms we enjoy. I used the word "many" to describe the number of people who do volunteer because they want to do their share. However, I cannot define the number/percentage behind my word "many." Additionally, when times are tough and the risks are greater, as long as the decision to serve is entirely voluntary, the meaning of "many" will slip downward. In fact, sooner or later — and I believe there's evidence for what I'm about to say — those who ARE serving will begin to ask, "Hey, I did the right thing, but now that we need some help, where are the reinforcements? Where are the other red-blooded freedom-loving Americans? We could use some help over here." And should the current force get the impression that they're out there alone without sufficient support, one would naturally expect a significant decline in the the numbers of those willing to serve under such trying times as we're presently having.

I am confident this concern by the current force is happening as we speak. To compensate, the Defense Department is offering unprecedented recruitment incentives to those willing to step up. I think this somewhat corrupts the mental orientation of at least some of the people who are presently enlisting. They should serve because they believe it's the right thing to do; offering enormous incentives somehow seems wrong to me.

Yes, those who enlist deserve every incentive and entitlement provided to them. However, if everyone would step up and do their fair share, such extraordinary incentives would not be needed. Please do a little research to include some data regarding the enlistment bonuses and other enticements being offered to those who enlist. If you compare the current "menu" of incentives to similar programs of the past, you may see a stunning difference.

Now that we've enjoyed the benefits of an all volunteer force for more than three decades, the mindset of young adults has changed remarkably, I feel. At this point in time, there are all too many folks that are content and happy to enjoy the freedoms we have as long as some other "dumb bastard" (please excuse my "French") is willing to do it for him.

A prime example is former President Clinton who had been drafted, but found every excuse in the world to not report and eventually avoided having to serve. If he was able to avoid having to serve under the legal mandate of the Selective Service System, then why should anyone bother to serve today? If ... If a major catastrophe occurred and the draft was re-activated, I think there may be a mad dash for the Canadian border, the French Riviera (where you'll find Tim Robbins, Michael Moore, and Jane Fonda hanging out), and anywhere else that a draft-age individual can hang out until things die down.

Meiye ... Your question is indeed an excellent one. It's been the topic of many conversations I've had. However, I'd like to see the answers that others will offer.

This topic is worthy of being the subject of a book, no doubt, and wiser minds than mine will have many things to say about this. I wish you luck with your project. I wish I could see how it turns out.

All the best to you, Meiye. I hope I've stimulated some thoughts on this topic.

Answer 8

I think there should be a draft. Everyone is running around saying we have rights. It is the military that has paid the dues for those rights and it's time we all paid our share. The trouble today is too many people playing the system. There are too many easy way outs for people. If kids don't want to learn a trade or get a career, then the service is a great place to learn a craft or get a profession. Stop the free rides.

Answer 9

N O, The Department of Defense Does Not
want a draft because the All Volunteer Forces
are doing very good, because the enlistment rates are at an all time high. A Draft would not
be good at this time. It would destroy the morale of the troops already in.

Answer 10

Well that can both ways....
Good points:
More protection for the U.S against terrorism
Help with younger peoples morality
Rise in National Pride
Bad points:
The government FORCING you to join the military is very UNAMERICAN!
The brave men and women in our armed forces get alot of "perks" :example 0% financing on car loans, military shopping discounts, reduced tuition in schools ect....that would stop



Living in the day and age we do now, I am going to say "yes" to your question though. I have a feeling that the world is heading for a very large ( probably not nuclear) war (ww3?) in comming years. It would be good if the U.S had the manpower to defend itself from its enimies. I really believe that war against terrorism and the wars in Iraq, and afghanistan are a good idea, but i think it is going to cause the muslim world to unite and forge an alliance against us. The scary thing is that a few non-muslim countries would probably jump on that bandwagon as well ( N Korea for example).Scary Scary times we live in.

Answer 11

You have lots of good arguments for it but I'm against it as a stop gap measure to find bodies that aren't volunteering fast enough. If mandatory service is required then make it across the board on a full time basis, then there is nothing to complain about. War or Peace.