What effect would a draft have on the nation?

Question

I just penned an article on the topic and i'd love to hear some opinions.

http://www.helium.com/tm/769267/united-states-needs-institute

Did anyone here read what I wrote? I made a case for the draft and was asking for opinions on the case that I make. It seems that many answers come from the very people I speak of in the op/ed.

Answer 1

1. It would probably have to be a universal draft. Besides military service, a person could work at a VA hospital, do US Forest Service fire fighting, Border Patrol, clean up highways, etc. Those who do military service would probably do 3 years, and everyone else in safer jobs would do 4-5 years.

2. It would definitely cut down on the number of illegals invading our nation. Both due to the increased Border Patrols and because they will not want to get drafted. They are coming here for the money, not to serve.

3. People would have some pride in themselves. They actually would have DONE SOMETHING to help their nation. Right now most people are having a free ride.

4. More people would know what the military can and can not do. You would not believe the ignorance of civilians in regards to military matters. Besides no personal experience, there are fewer and fewer veterans around to tell them the facts of life.

5. We might actually instill some professionalism in our youth. This generation seems to think it is optional to show up for work and that they are doing you a big favor just being there.

6. Lastly, with a draft, we will not have to pay these people such high salaries to get them to volunteer. It would help with our national debt. Think of it was paying off the debt with labor rather than money.

Answer 2

If we've been invaded we does no longer choose a draft. in the event that they drafted for some POS conflict like they are launching now without Congressional declarations of conflict, they could be on the line.

Answer 3

Personally, I would love it if everyone who has a beef with the military had to actually serve in the military. But, I also see the downside to this.
As someone who served in the Navy for 18 years, I volunteered, I would not want to serve with someone who does not want to be there. That person then will not do their job to the fullest. Not saying there are not people in now that don't give it their all, there are, but as someone pointed out earlier, look at what the draft did to this country during the Vietnam days.
It comes down to this, and this is from experience, the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines that are serving and fighting now want to be there. They are not forced to serve.
Interesting op-ed though.
ACC(AW/SW)
USN ret.

Answer 4

Interesting article or papers and does make some good points. The one thing to look at is that a draft is not necessary or wanted at this time even by the military. I do think that a system of universal service, whether military or civilian public works, would be a workable and fair system. People could spend two or whatever amount of time in the military or the same amount of time and pay at a civilian public works type function for the government; no exclusions or exemptions as there could be something found for every one. The idol of some many is John F. Kennedy but they forget that he was very pro-military, had no hesitation to use military force and it was his statement of asking not what your country can do for you but what you can do fo your country that has been forgotten and ignored by those praising him, using his name and wanting to follow in his footsteps.

Answer 5

It would be disapproved by the general population of the US, but if the draft was instituted fairly, without any stipulations, then I would think that it would be a good idea. Everyone in this country should be afforded the opportunity of serving their country honorably. Although, the All-Volunteer US
Military is working greatly, so N O Draft should be implemented at this time.

Answer 6

just look at the effect that Veitnam had on this country? It would be devestating to our ranks. I know as an enlisted person myself, I wouldn't want to serve side by side with someone I couldn't trust watching my back.

Answer 7

A draft would have a negative effect on our country and our military.

The military takes pride in the all volunteer force and being a professional military.

It would take away the Choice to serve and therefor take liberty away from individuals.

Whenever liberty is taken away from the individual it is in violation of the founders intent.

If you want the People to have more of a stake in the defense of the nation we should use the militia. Along the lines of the Militia Act of 1792, require every male Citizen from 18-45 to own a military rifle, bayonet, ammunition and a backpack, for training twice a year without pay to defend their community.

Answer 8

We are filling our billets with volunteers. People who want to be there. The draft will force us to increase our military budget tremendously when there is not need for it. We will have increased disciplinary problems. We will need additional housing, schools, food, facilities, uniforms, boots, hats, guns, equipments, health care professionals, budgets to move them, and more to manage them. I could fill this website with the list of things that would need to increase. We don't need to go down that road unless it is absolutely necessary.
AF veteran

Answer 9

College enrollment would go up. There would be a new wave of anti-war/anti-US hippies. We would still be losing the war.

Answer 10

We would have a military who's morale would plummet due to the element of volunteerism being robbed from the ranks...