What is Your Opinion on the Draft?

Question

(I want Senior opinions)

Do you think it should be reinstated? Was anyone here drafted? What was it like?

Some great answers here, thanks.
Thank you Scooter, that penicillin kicks in fast.

Answer 1

I joined the military to avoid being drafted. They sent me to a tropical paradise called Viet Nam anyway. I have no complaints, for I did what my country asked me to do.......but..
In my opinion, a person should Never be drafted to protect someone elses country or interests.
If a draft is needed to protect ones own country.....fine.
We lost 55,000 service people in Viet Nam and for what?
Things are no different today,

Answer 2

The draft will not be reinstated. Basically, the military truly does not want anyone on board who is not dedicated. If there is a shortage of available personnel, then there are many ways to increase the military.
1. Currently 20 years is the time for retirement, at 38 a person is still very vital, increase the time to 30 years.

2. Get rid of high year 10 year, that means people who are in a rank for more than 10 years are discharged, allow these people to serve.

3. Change the physical standards for personnel. Not all jobs require the weight standards that are in place. Who cares if a pay clerk is 10 pounds over weight? It isn't realistic. Of course a warrior needs to be extremely fit.

During my era many men were drafted, drugs were rampant and many men died. It was a horror and it wasn't a war that we need to repeat.

Answer 3

My father enlisted in the Army during the draft and WWII and subsequently made a career there.. When I was in college some of the guys who are were older than I had just come back from Korea having been drafted....and the younger ones who were my peers had 'educational deferrments'.

I never heard THAT much grumbling about the draft - but then serving one's country was considered an honor by most people.

My cousins were drafted - one serving in the Marines and one in the Army.

At the time of the Viet Nam War - some young men opted to flee to Canada to avoid the draft...primarily because of anti war beliefs.

Although we do not now have the draft, young men are required to 'register'...

During the draft you were given a draft classification....some were disallowed service due to physical/mental impairment...some were allowed deferrments; others were allowed to not serve due to being the only son, etc.

Frankly I was in support of the draft - feeling it a duty of citizens to serve their country for a period....

NOW? We live in such a different world...and the government has run amok. It doesn't seem to be much about patriotism and protection as it is about money and run-away ego.

Answer 4

I enlisted in the Navy to avoid the draft and probable Army tour. I support the draft, to ensure a cross-section of the population (no buying one's way out of an obligation or forcing into because of destitution). Think if the draft were reinstated and everyone had to fulfill the obligation that much of our problems in the US would be solved. After a single enlistment, I've found young kids have suddenly become young adults with less of the immature/destructive tendencies.,and more direction in their lives.(usually NOT military oriented)

Answer 5

The draft is not needed and, in today's military, would be worthless. A two period of compulsory service is barely long enough for one to become competent in the use of modern weapons systems. And someone being compelled to serve would produce a lowering of espirit and morale in many of the units.
I served 25 years, in the era of conscription and that of the all-volunteer force. I bore witness to the sea change from draftees to no one but volunteers. I also did a three year stint at an induction center in Los Angeles during the Vietnam war and saw the pathetic attempts made to avoid service by the unwilling. I can still recall one examining doctor informing a draftee he was qualified to serve and would be sent immediately to the Middle East because anyone who could wear a truss backwards could easily learn to ride a camel.

Answer 6

I don't think it should be reinstated. I am biased on the subject since I have a son who could possibly be within the draft age, and being an only son does not exempt you, as some think. My husband is too old for service now. He did serve in the Marines, but was not drafted.

Answer 7

If we had another situation like WW2 then I would be all for the draft. Who would want someone like Hitler trying to take over all that we have worked for and if it wasn't for the draft in WW2, many of us would not be sitting here today. Vietnam was a pointless draft (and war) and at the moment a draft for Iraq would be pointless but it was needed in WW2. My Grandpa was drafted during and went over to Europe to fight for our freedoms.

Answer 8

The draft, is just another way of getting young men to be prepared for war! Unless a country has internal problems or threats on their borders, it is unnecessary. If you mean

Military Training, for one year after school (was mandatory in South Africa until about 1990) started at one year, and increased to two. Totally unnecessary.

Have to agree with Goldwing. Glad you are better. Welcome back.

Answer 9

I would initiate a recall myself against anyone who tried to reinstate the draft and I am not kidding. We will always miss you Billie!

Answer 10

I'm of the opinion that if you want to live in this country and have all the freedom that it offers you should serve your country in the military for two years right out of high school. No, I was never drafted but I did serve in 1983.