Obama Should Bring Back The Military Draft
Women should be drafted, too.
Part of the public debate in the United States about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is that the American military is spread too thin, especially the Army and the Marines. Even if no more troops are sent to Afghanistan, there are not enough boots on the ground. What’s the solution?
Like many people I have a very simple solution to this problem. Bring back the draft.
Image via Wikipedia
The present American military is an all-volunteer force, a professional force. People join for many reasons. Not the least reasons being educational and financial reasons; career reasons and patriotism. There are many other reasons. Critics of the all-volunteer force say it draws volunteers mainly from the less economically advantaged part of American society and that the burden of carrying the sacrifices of fighting any war falls mainly on military families.
The supporters of the all-volunteer force say that the nation gets a well lead, well disciplined and well trained highly motivated force.
But supporters and detractors both admit that the all-volunteer force was never designed to fight two wars at the same time for years. National Guard units, whose primary mission is to serve at home, are doing multiple deployments overseas. As a Vietnam War veteran, I can assure you that one deployment to a war zone is usually enough. Easy duty in a war zone is a possibility, not a probability.
If Congress passed a law to re-institute the draft it would solve the military’s main problem: more boots on the ground. Of course women would have to be drafted, too. Not to draft women would be sexual discrimination.
But there will be no draft because of politics; because a draft would tear American society apart.
Liked it
User Comments
cutedrishti8
On November 16, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I agree with your opinion
PR Mace
On November 16, 2009 at 11:30 pm
A draft may be the answer we need but will our president go in that direction? I think not as it wouldn’t gain him the popularly he so wants or thinks he needs. Then again how well does someone serve his country if he or she is forced to? I have three brothers, one enlisted in the Army right out of high school and served in Vietnam, the other was drafted and though he did twenty years he never had the same love for the Army as our other brother did. My husband enlisted in the Navy at 18 and served our country proudly for twenty years but would he have felt the same if you had been drafted. I know the joys, sorrows and pride of being a Navy wife and I supported my husband thoughout his military career. Is the draft the right call? I’m not sure that question has a correct answer.
CHAN LEE PENG
On November 17, 2009 at 12:18 am
Ya, I agree too, Mr. Obama should bring back the military draft to ensure its determination and the direction of his goals.
LovelyWolf
On November 17, 2009 at 12:21 am
Hmm, for some reason, I was under the impression that it was still legal to draft…
sweet sunshine143
On November 17, 2009 at 1:02 am
I agree. Women should be drafted too. Well-written.
svishnugopal
On November 17, 2009 at 1:39 am
hogan , wonderful stuff again from you, very good article..thanks
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 1:55 am
cutedrishti8, like I said in the article the draft is the simple solution but Congress would not have the support of the American people for such a law.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 1:59 am
PR, there will be no draft. It has no political support and there wold be huge riots in the street. The draft is really not an option.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 2:04 am
CHAN LEE, bringing back the draft really is not a political option. There’s no support for it.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 2:08 am
LovelyWolf, men are still suppose to register for selective service when they reach 18 but there is no draft.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 2:12 am
sunshine, I don’t think we have to worry about a draft any time soon. The nation is not willing to return to the draft.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 2:17 am
svishnugopal, the article may support the draft but it is an idea that the vast number of Americans reject.
wonder
On November 17, 2009 at 4:02 am
Women should be drafted.
ken bultman
On November 17, 2009 at 4:42 am
Canada already has enough expatriots. lol
Christine Ramsay
On November 17, 2009 at 4:45 am
I think a draft might even help curb all the hooliganism and knife crime which is around at the moment.
Christine
shanthu
On November 17, 2009 at 4:53 am
thanks for the share…
aunslaught
On November 17, 2009 at 6:01 am
hmm.. nice article…
Lord Banks
On November 17, 2009 at 6:12 am
Once again im forced to agree with you. In Britain our national guard is called “The Territorial Army” they are serving side by side with regular troops British and American. I have been a supporter of the draft even in peace time. We have close on 3 million un-employed citizens that we are paying to sit at home and watch Opra whilst eating french fries! We had National service back in 50s Britain 2 years minimum, would solve the troop shortages and greatly reduce unemployment. Sounds too simple? no its not it is the answer in my opinion, however the government that brings it in I guarantee wont be elected again! as a society Britain has a huge soft underside for lazy people, why do you think we have so many immigrants?????
chitragopi
On November 17, 2009 at 8:29 am
Well thought over article.
martie
On November 17, 2009 at 11:06 am
Great article. Seems to me that we send people to war for political reasons we just can’t draft them to send them…doesn’t quite make sense does it?
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 11:43 am
wonder, if there was a draft there’s no way that allowing women to opt out would be possible. Bringing back the draft would probably cause more problems than it cures.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 11:47 am
ken, a draft in the US would be so unpopular that there would be huge riots all across the country. A draft is not on the table.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 11:51 am
Christine, a draft would keep a lot of idle hands busy.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 11:56 am
shantu, this is an article that just gives an opinion on a serious problem that may have no practical solution.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 12:02 pm
aunslaught, I tried to give equal weight to both sides of the debate. Of course a draft is not even on the table.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Lord Banks, supporting a draft would be poison to any politician here in the States. A draft is not going to happen.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 12:14 pm
chitragopi, I hope the article was worth reading.
Guy Hogan
On November 17, 2009 at 12:18 pm
martie, a draft would probably create a firestorm of protests. No politician is going to touch a draft.
Lady Sunshine
On November 17, 2009 at 5:24 pm
As you stated Guy, this is not going to happen. It would get ugly really bad.
Ruby Hawk
On November 17, 2009 at 8:54 pm
i agree one deployment is enough, My grandson left for Afghanistan two days ago on his third deployment.
Aleena
On November 17, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Interesting article
It would be a great solution if it werent for all the bad side-effects.
lillyrose
On November 18, 2009 at 3:59 am
A very well researched and written article.
Guy Hogan
On November 18, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Lady Sunshine, the American people would not tolerate a new military draft.
Guy Hogan
On November 18, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Ruby, none of us can imagine what three deployments are like.
Guy Hogan
On November 18, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Aleena, yes, I’m sure there would be huge protests all across the nation.
Guy Hogan
On November 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm
lillyrose, the multiple deployments are a real burden on the military and there doesn’t seem to be a solution.
Westbrook
On November 18, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I detest young people enjoying the fruits of freedom, but not willing to contribute their fair share of responsibility to preserve it. I was drafted in the 60’s and served honorably in Vietnam. I disagree with those who say that if you are drafted, you will not pull your weight because you did not volunteer. Once you get through basic training, you will accept being in the military and most are proud of it. I fought battles that I did not enjoy, but at that point, you are an American fighting for his country. People have gotten way too soft today and expect to enjoy everything without contributing anything and they love to run their mouths off about how bad everything is. I believe all people in America should be drafted when they are eligible. Everyone who is capable should take their turn preserving our freedom and interests. I have a blog at wdcplace.blogspot.com if anyone is interested in checking it out.
Wess
Leonardo davinci Evans
On December 8, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I support the voluntary force because it is fully in line with our philosophy principle of allowing people their human right to choose for themselves; With all due respect a draft is an act of dictatorship regardless of the benefits it bestows upon the society and should not be had except eminent and unusual dangers are before us. Yes, it is true it creates a situation where the less privledged will be the first to volunteer, but the reality of the situation is they DO have the option to choose otherwise.
Mary L> Dey
On January 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I think the pesident should bring back the draft, get some of these lazy men and women to doing something beside drugs and gangs and being lazy and don\\\’t want to work.
Post Comment