Is the Draft coming back since our military is stretched to its breaking point?

Answer 1

No. Politically it is dead in the water. The only way you'll see a draft is if we go to war with another large nation like China or Russia.

Answer 2

What breaking point? Retentions are holding solid. Recruiting is on target for the yearly quota. Congressman Rangel of New York introduced the National Services Act of 2006 to re-introduce the draft. But, the bill will never pass. His hidden agenda is to use military service to reduce the 25%+ unemployment rate for African-American males in his district. Now Charlies is a veteran of the Korean War. But, this isn't a war where mass formations of troops move to contact with each other. Congressman Murtha of Pennsylvania, although a retired Colonel of Marines has the same problem. This isn't Vietnam either!
We have just over 3,000 deaths in a total force of about 160 thousand in the Iraqi Theater of Operations. Past generals would be thrilled at such a low rate of casualties.
A bit of advice. When you hear terms like "breaking point" ask the originator of that phrase to tell you how many active duty personnel are currently serving and how many guard and reserve personnel have been called up to active duty. When you hear the term "quagmire" ask the originator of that phrase which is safer at night: downtown Mosul in Iraq or downtown Washington DC.
Don't worry. The men and women of our armed forces will get the job done. They stand tall so others can go to the mall.

Answer 3

The only politico's even talking about the Draft are the Dem's and they're not ABOUT to reinstate it... not after all the fuss they've kicked up about the war. They're simply using the "thought" of a draft to scare voters into voting their ticket next November.

Also, there are military members who've not yet been deployed... and we're not "stretched to the breaking point"... we're just a little low on first enlistments... From what I've heard, re-enlistment rates are healthy...

Answer 4

It is true that new enlistments into the military are down but the military just expanded their requirements. Now some of the people who wanted to go in but couldn't, can. This includes people who are above the weight requirements and people with certain criminal convictions and those with tattoos on their hands. I know it sounds strange but the military is trying to get their recruitment up so that there won't have to be a draft.

Answer 5

No for a number of reasons.

First, a draft wouldn't help the military troop levels in the short run - assuming the government could implement it. It takes some time to train troops and get them into military readiness.

Secondly, a draft would probably not be politically possible - given the current unpopularity of the Iraq war.

My guess is that Bush will continue with the stop loss orders and extended redeployments of current units which, sadly, damage the units in terms of longer term readiness and troop retention (the added stress on servicemen and women due to extended tours of duty will spur more of them to get out of the military when they can).

Answer 6

It is a quandry. I sincerely hope that the draft is never enacted again, as it is morally wrong to force someone to fight in a war, particularly since the present war is so unpopular. On the other hand, extended tours for a volunteer army is unfair as well as physically and emotionally taxing to our soldiers. Politicians would face a rough election should they opt to re-enact the draft; it was unpopular 35 years ago, it is even less so in the memory of Vietnam. I sincerely hope that this war is over soon, so our soldiers can come home, rest and remember what it is like to have a week of peace, without someone trying to kill them.

Answer 7

I heard on the news that they will not be bring back the draft because when you get people in the military who do not wanna be there they take the positions of which do wanna be there and do not do as good of a job

Answer 8

You would have to get the majority of both the house and the senate to vote for it and the President to sign it (the latter probably wouldn't be an issue). But the draft is not a popular idea among about 3/4 of Americans so I wouldn't expect it to be re-instated any time soon.

Perhaps the mood of the country would be different if people actually believed we were fighting a war with real implications for our security and freedom.

Answer 9

You know, that is a very good question. It may be the answer to other questions I've been reading lately about our disrespectful and angry youth. There wasn't so much of that when we had the draft. They were fighting for our country instead of fighting each other on our homeland. Give them some tough training and send them out to attach the real terrorists.

Answer 10

I have heard that there a rumors about that coming to pass. In fact there are a couple of bills in the Senate wanting to reinstate the draft. So far these bills have not gone anywhere. To be honest, I am just glad that I am as old as I am. If it gets to the point where they want me, then we are all already in a world of hurt.