The question is: What do you think about reinstating the military draft?

I ask this NOT in the context of the upcoming election, NOT in the context of the position of the candidates regarding the issue, and NOT in the context of the curent war.
I ask it more in the context of the social issue associated with it, the benefit or not, to society, and yes the curent "world" situation should be considered, but please exclude the situation in Iraq, as that would ad bias to the discusion.

I'll start with being in favor of it. I think basic military training can be beneficial to society, our youth desperately need to understand the principles of discipline, respect and to experience some hardship. Yes I do think "it builds character" not as much the hardship itself but the lessons learned through it.
Also uncertainety in the world merits having a population that can properly respond to military situations. The skils/lessons learned through basic training can be used an entire life time. Economicaly I do not know, lots of support jobs vs. mantaining costs, I'll leave that to the economists, but I tend to believe that it would be OK.

Your turn...

 

Would you be a canidate for the draft you so eagerly support? If so, I bet your feelings would change.

 

I'm a candidate for the draft (I'm only 19) and I agree that most kids these days would benefit from basic training. A lot of kids have no respect for the law, no discipline, and have no idea what a true hardship is (being without your cellphone for a week is not a hardship). They need to experience that. I also believe that it would help the youth of america (myself included) understand what goes on in war and what is involved. That way, when the time comes, they/we know how to react and how to handle ourselves. Now, do I believe that everyone between ages 18-26 should go into basic training? No. If your in college and are diong good there or you have a family to support, then no. You shouldn't. But if your a bum who dropped out of highschool, is dealing drugs, is always in trouble with the law, is struggling in life general, then yes, I believe you should go. It might open up your eyes and make you realize just how easy you had it on the "outside".

 

MCMLV is right. Unless you have your head in the sand, you can't help but see the direction a lot of youths in this country have been going.
There are a lot of good kids out there, but there are a lot more that have absolutely not direction in life and no adult leadership to point them in the right direction. I'm sure there would be deferments just like before and that would give the ambitious youths the opportunity to pursue their goals. The ones without goals would a least be pointed in the right direction of productivity and discipline.

Would I like to be a candidate on that list ..**** straight! One of the things I think I miss the most in my life was not going to the military when I volunteered and was turned down.

 

Blue,
You made some good points about alot of young folks not having discipline, motivation etc. I was in the Navy for six years after high school. I went because I wanted to, I wanted the experience, the training, the travel and I had a sense of patriotism, I also wanted the GI Bill. I got a lot more than I bargained for and would do it over again (leadership, responsibility for one's actions and respect for others and never taking my freedom for granted are on the top of the list). There were several folks who fit your description above. They did not want to be there and they let it be known. They were slackers and did not care if they got punished, nothing was going to change these people. These are not the guys and gals I want serving beside me at general quarters or covering my hiney in a firefight.

Just my $.02
~Rob

 

I think every male should do some kind of service to the country. Military, public service, police , fire.

It really makes me sick to see knuckleheads playing pool and drinking beer when we have SINGLE MOTHERS going to war. Why can't these guys give a few years of service? What kind of society are we creating?

Blue you are 110% right. Even the trash will be straightened out and made into men in the service. If they are not good in a firefight they might be good driving a truck to keep my beer & bullets coming, or keeping my pay records straight! Not everyone is cut out for combat. Part of making sound military decisions is being able to deploy the correct asset to the correct mission.

 

I don't know that boot camp in at least 2 out of the 5 services (giving the Coast Guard the benefit of the doubt) would do anybody any good. The Navy gives "time out cards" if they get to feeling stressed, they get about 20 min or 1/2 hr to go watch tv or write a letter, whatever. The Air Force gets 2 man rooms with doors and goes to town (San Antonio) for weekends. I guess I don't see that being a real life changing experience as far as discipline and reliability are concerned. No offence to the older Navy and Air Force guys, but boot camp just ain't what it used to be.

Disclaimer: USMC, Rifleman 0311

 

Lower the drinking age to 18 for military members would cause a tremendous climb in the enlistment numbers. When I was in the Army, I would get upset cause I was old enough to take a bullet, but not old enough to get a beer. Not that it stopped me much, but it made it more difficult. Since then I have quit drinking, I quit over a year ago. But, then the flip side is that idle hands are the devil's workshop. Some of the guys/gals will just get themselves in trouble, then there is no choice but to rely on the dicispline that was installed during basic training. I seem to remeber the UCMJ punishments quite well, and this was over 10 years ago.

 

Nope.. No way.. The nice thing about having an all volunteer military is that the folks WANT to be there. The instant you start drafting the unwilling, you're going to have issues. The men and women serving today are top notch. I was proud to serve with all that I served with. I'd hate to think what would happen if we started pulling in folks that didn't want to be there to begin with. UGH!

 

I am all in favor of the draft - was drafted in 66 and it helped me get my feet on the ground. The government should consider some form of mandatory service - either in the military or the civilian side like police, fire, forest service, social work, helping the elderly, etc. It can do nothing but good to help a person's perspective on life.

John (DH)

 

Count me as a yes. I think we should have compulory service in this country. You go for 2 years after high school and maybe even 2 years reserve after that. If you decide to go college, you get a deferrment and then must do your service as an officer. Same 2 years + 2 reserve. Or, better yet, if you meet a certain GPA, say 3.0, you get a commission, otherwise you don't, but still must do your service.

PapaPerk - yes, I felt this way even in college. PapaPERK... Perhaps that says it all....

By the way, 17 1/2 years Navy so far....

 

If we could draft all the congress and senators sons and daughters first

 

It really makes me wonder when some of you think that there should be some sort of mandatory service to our country just because you are somebody you have seen had a hard time getting their head on straight. Why should everyone be forced to serve just because some people are idiots when they are young and cant do the right thing? I graduated high school, went to college for 4 years and came home with a degree. Now I have a job and didnt have one problem adjusting to society. I love our country, but I had no desire to go into the services....if I did, I would of signed up on my own free will. I understand that things would be different if brave men and women like some of you wouldnt have fought for our country, but one thing I like about America is having the freedom to choose whatever the hell I want to do. If I was drafted, I would go fight for my country, but I would not voulnteer to sign up for the military.

 

thank you needmopower exactly what i think. im only 20 and already a career 240 firefighter/emt have been for 2 years + 4 as a cadet. im putting my time in for this type of service and i sure dont wanna go and get drafted!

 

Hey guys the intent for the post was to weigh the merrits if any of a draft. Its impact on all of our lives. Its benefits and detractions. Reasoning "I do not want to" or " I do not like it" or even "I would have gone if I wanted to.." do not go to the issue.
Keep in mind it is ok to disagree, it does not make you better or worse than any of us here.