I think we need the draft

[vito]

In the days of the draft we had the ability to fairly quickly create a sizable military force. I understand that today's technology takes longer for a new soldier to master than was the case in the past, but I am confident that a Basic Training of about 16 weeks would meet most of our needs. If all young, able bodied people in America (citizens and non-citizens alike, male and female alike) had to serve for two or three years, we could easily create the largest and most deadly military force seen since WWII ended. Sending 500,000 troops to Syria and Iraq, instead of 50 Special Ops troops, with full air and naval support would crush ISIS in short order. We would have a military force large enough to maintain large occupying forces wherever it was needed and for whatever period it was needed (as the British did for a hundred years in many of their colonies).

Creating such a military force would put Russia and China on notice as well. It would wipe out unemployment, and create a population with the experiences needed to give them a real stake in our country. We could easily pay for it with the savings from reduced welfare/government benefit programs, and the elimination of many Federal departments and agencies that are less than critical and Constitutionally required (such as Energy, Education, Commerce, Labor and others).

America again would be a country that none would dare to challenge. Peace would be the norm. Terrorism would be reduced to tiny pockets of violence in far off lands, awaiting total destruction should they grow to become noticeable on our national radar.

We can do it folks, if only we have the will to act.

 

[Stephanie B]

Dream on.

One of the main reasons why the opposition to the Iraq/Afghan wars never got much traction was because everybody who went volunteered. Start grabbing up people's kids and press-ganging them into the Army and the tolerance for foreign military adventures will evaporate.

 

[Comrad]

Harry Truman knew how to deal with those who would mount a sneak attack on us.

 

[chud333]

I think it is a fine idea sir.

But the implementation of such an act would require
someone to miss a round of golf.


Chuck

 

[rwsmith]

If a full war breaks out...

If a full war breaks out involving the US there will be a draft.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

We are not hobbled by the lack of military might, we lack the will to do what is right.

 

[S42N8]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but this ain't the two-MRC US military it was, or takes to meet our worldwide commitments. A draft is not the solution...it takes infrastructure, weapon system production and (most telling) national will. Guess what we have:

Executive Summary - 2015 Index of U.S. Military Strength

Marginal across the Services, except USAF, and as a proud vet, this ain't nearly the Air Force we need. The post-2003 drawdown is budget-driven, which cuts across all the big-ticket programs. It'll take concerted will to turn this around, and your take on that is likely close to mine.

 

[cmort666]

A 10,000,000 man army is worthless if you don't have the will to use it.

 

[LVSteve]

We have an enemy that operates all over the world mixed in with civilians in an age where our technology is supposed to have eliminated collateral casualties. The draft cannot fix that.

 

[Bat Guano]

Mass armies are a thing of the past, never to return. It's a whole different world out there. That said, I'd love to see Pajama Boy and his homies get off the bus to meet their DI. For some it's a last chance to grow the hell up.

Politically speaking, though, no way. Which is a damned shame.

 

[alwslate]

We had the draft back during the Viet Nam war. There were lots of
protesters, draft dodgers, card burners and those who fled to Canada.
But still the vast majority went when called. It's a different US today.
I think one reason we don't have the draft is because the Government
knows that there would be very large numbers of young folks that
would openly refuse to go. Look at what's been happening around the
country recently and use your imagination. I don't think our leaders
even want to think about such a scenario.

 

[Nevada Ed]

So has it come to us telling them to stop when things get really ugly...........................

or we will push the "Red Button" and let us see what's left ? !

 

[jag312]

I am hardly an expert on today's young people. However I would expect a significant number would not support the war, not support thr military, but be more than willing to frag officers. Again; not all young people, but a significant number to create chaos. Expect anti-war and anti-draft demonstrations more violent than anything in the 60s and 70s. Remember the song The Times They Are A'Changing? Well, the times have changed.

 

[Arik]

I don't think you'll scare China with the #s. As of 3 years ago they had 2,285,000 full time military personnel and half million reserve and a population of ONE BILLION, 393,783,836

 

[Gulfecho]

"There's nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer."

-Jimmy Doolittle

 

[alwslate]

I don't think you'll scare China with the #s. As of 3 years ago they had 2,285,000 full time military personnel and half million reserve and a population of ONE BILLION, 393,783,836

I don't think the US has to worry about scaring China. China
is going to emerge as a strong savy player in the world in the
future that can analyze the world with great perception. The
US and China are almost certainly going to be allies in the
future.

 

[rwsmith]

The all around attitude.....

Sorry to rain on the parade, but this ain't the two-MRC US military it was, or takes to meet our worldwide commitments. A draft is not the solution...it takes infrastructure, weapon system production and (most telling) national will. Guess what we have:

Executive Summary - 2015 Index of U.S. Military Strength

Marginal across the Services, except USAF, and as a proud vet, this ain't nearly the Air Force we need. The post-2003 drawdown is budget-driven, which cuts across all the big-ticket programs. It'll take concerted will to turn this around, and your take on that is likely close to mine.

The all around attitude is "it's too much trouble". Keeping a strong military also boosts the economy if you don't buy all of your gear from China. It also keeps your industrial base strong in case it is badly needed.

 

[arjay]

The reality is that most of the people in this country have no appetite for war.A draft would be a disaster,we learned that already.

 

[rwsmith]

It also takes leadership...

It also takes leadership to keep that might in check and use it discriminately.

 

[johngalt]

The military itself doesn't want a draft. It is too difficult to train and manage people who don't want to be there. A smaller force of well trained volunteers is more effective than a large force of conscripts.