View Poll Results: Should there be Mandatory Service for the U.S. Armed Forces?
Yes, Mandatory service/ draft
15
35.71%
No, Kepp it completely voluntary
27
64.29%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll
Draft/ Mandatory service
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
I am VERY PROUD to have done my time! 8yrs both on a ship and in the SEABEE's as an EO, it did wonders for me. i got the chance to go over sea's and see the world it gave me a new respect for the USA and what we have here and what they dont have, (ididnt like having bullets whiz by me but thats another story)
Yes 2yrs would be great for the younger generation.
and the U.S.A.
Yes 2yrs would be great for the younger generation.
and the U.S.A.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
Hmmmmm....lets see thirty days paid vacation starting the first year, not to mention 72hr weekends, travel to exoitic countries,full heath and dental, 3 squares a day, a cot. a roof over your head, sick leave if needed, and the chance to shoot saddam, .......naw thats too good for an 18yr old. go le t him work at mickey dee's instead.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 0
From: La Tech University, La
Turnign a wrench on a fighter is not all it is cracked up to be 
trust me. It gets to the point where it is a job...but then again, there is the time when you look at that plane doing a vertical climb, and think, It is cause of methat he made it up. Or when we ship troops out to the desert on a heavy and you know that because of your work that plane and those troops will make it safely to their destination and protect the great U.S. of A.
trust me. It gets to the point where it is a job...but then again, there is the time when you look at that plane doing a vertical climb, and think, It is cause of methat he made it up. Or when we ship troops out to the desert on a heavy and you know that because of your work that plane and those troops will make it safely to their destination and protect the great U.S. of A.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 26
Aircraft wrenching has its frustrations, but it is interesting and never gets old. I recommend it to gearheads wholeheartedly.
However, for every satisfying job there are plenty that are stressful , undermanned, and involve perpetual deployment. The AF is so short of Security Police that we have the Army guarding much of our bases while the cops deploy, and this is especially rough on troops with families since it has been going on well before the Iraq occupation.
However, for every satisfying job there are plenty that are stressful , undermanned, and involve perpetual deployment. The AF is so short of Security Police that we have the Army guarding much of our bases while the cops deploy, and this is especially rough on troops with families since it has been going on well before the Iraq occupation.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 913
Likes: 2
From: Pensacola, FL
I am an AT3 ( E-4 avionics technician) in the worlds greatest Navy and I think a draft would kill the current military. Already I see people haveing to seperate because of HYT ( high year tenure ) or are forced to convert ratings after there first enlistment because retention rates are higher than they have been in years. Recruitment numbers have dropped and they have drawn the line on what people are allowed in. If you force people to be in the armed forces they are going to be unhappy, make everybody around him unhappy, and worst of all, probably not be very good at there job and put others at risk. I think it is a way to bring down the military from the inside, and nobody really benefits. The military is not a dumping ground for people who are maladjusted to society, because they dont get 'fixed' in the military, they meerly do what they have to do to get by, then get out and are more resentful than they were before.
just my $.02
just my $.02
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: California
For a country founded on the core value of freedom, mandatory military time would be a hypocritical policy--those with no desire to join the military would effectively lose their freedom for two years.
There are people in this forum who are proud of their military service, and rightfully so. But for someone to suggest that military service should be required for everyone because it taught them discipline...Well, it just isn't a compelling argument to those of us who learned discipline and responsibility as civilians.
(By the way, I also believe that military personnel should receive competitive wages. Voluntary service should be rewarded with good pay in addition to generous retirement benefits.)
There are people in this forum who are proud of their military service, and rightfully so. But for someone to suggest that military service should be required for everyone because it taught them discipline...Well, it just isn't a compelling argument to those of us who learned discipline and responsibility as civilians.
(By the way, I also believe that military personnel should receive competitive wages. Voluntary service should be rewarded with good pay in addition to generous retirement benefits.)
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 913
Likes: 2
From: Pensacola, FL
yeah, military should get better pay, and turning wrenches on aircraft does become just another job, but when you are out on the pointy end of the boat and that airplane goes past you at 160 knots, there is only one word to describe it....AWESOME!
Senior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: New Baden, IL. USA!
The United States of America has the very best political system ever devised.
The result has been the best military in world history. Not only the best, but the most successful!
Do you really want to be in a fox hole under enemy fire with a panty weight Liberal that wants only to let you die so they can get on with their life?
Ask real questions and you get real answers....
The result has been the best military in world history. Not only the best, but the most successful!
Do you really want to be in a fox hole under enemy fire with a panty weight Liberal that wants only to let you die so they can get on with their life?
Ask real questions and you get real answers....
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: roosterville
I served 3 yrs Army 80-83 and vote no on a mandatory enlistment. The best military will be one with sevicemen/women who want to be there not forced to be there.. Also Jimmy Dean how can you believe that people with a military back ground have a higher set of morals and values than the average civilian thats just crazy they are after all just former civilians. I for one remember meeting some real nut cases in my 3 years, one in particular was an E-7 lunatic who was just lucky to have the Army as an employer a civilian employer would never tolerate his type but the Army no problem they just promote him...
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Little Elm, TX
Just a thought--Instead of military service, what if the military sent the "draftees" through basic, then back into civillian life, to be called up in times of emergency. Or even basic, followed by some form of secondary education, then back to civillian life. Cadre members, would this work?
Israel, Switzerland, and I think Sweden all have mandatory 2-year service terms, with little in the way of exception. They do pretty well, considering that in Israel, all men and women are trained. In Switzerland and Sweden, only the men are trained (IIRC).
In all three countries, once trained, you are issued your weapons, uniforms, and gear, and sent home, ready to be called up, unless you elect to stay in the service. It's worked pretty well for them. Could it be made to work for us?
No I never served. A bad knee and a nervous recruiter kept me out. She didn't like the idea of me filling out the paperwork and leaving off the blown-out knee. Otherwise, I'd probably still be in the Air Farce.
Israel, Switzerland, and I think Sweden all have mandatory 2-year service terms, with little in the way of exception. They do pretty well, considering that in Israel, all men and women are trained. In Switzerland and Sweden, only the men are trained (IIRC).
In all three countries, once trained, you are issued your weapons, uniforms, and gear, and sent home, ready to be called up, unless you elect to stay in the service. It's worked pretty well for them. Could it be made to work for us?
No I never served. A bad knee and a nervous recruiter kept me out. She didn't like the idea of me filling out the paperwork and leaving off the blown-out knee. Otherwise, I'd probably still be in the Air Farce.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 0
From: La Tech University, La
Tom, one, I do not nor will never be in a fox hole under fire in my carreer, Just one of those things that RARELY happens to an A.F. maint troop, but I see your point. Do you think we do not have those types already? They are weeded out and stuck in the back room, cooking dinner or fixing your bed or some stuff. I find most liberals in the military, are in medical also. Not medical as in helping people, medical as in the biggest paper pushing, non-dirty job in the military.
T/A, everyone has their looneys, I for one did learn my discipline in the civilian life, however most do not. I see others who come in, and I wonder how, what the ....... I mean the raising some of these kids got was ridiculous IMHO, I mean how could a parent raise hteir child to like Chevies????? ok that was a joke but in all honesty. Not all people in my generation are being raised with a good deep-set set of morals. Or discipline. And trust me. The military WILL teach you discipline, if you do not believe me ask me about my 30 days down there at Keesler AFB.
XR4TiSam, I think you have a great idea there, that would also work I believe, thankyou for your input.
T/A, everyone has their looneys, I for one did learn my discipline in the civilian life, however most do not. I see others who come in, and I wonder how, what the ....... I mean the raising some of these kids got was ridiculous IMHO, I mean how could a parent raise hteir child to like Chevies????? ok that was a joke but in all honesty. Not all people in my generation are being raised with a good deep-set set of morals. Or discipline. And trust me. The military WILL teach you discipline, if you do not believe me ask me about my 30 days down there at Keesler AFB.
XR4TiSam, I think you have a great idea there, that would also work I believe, thankyou for your input.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: San Angelo, TX
NO DRAFT!! I'm a Tech School instructor so I get to see Americas youth up close. We have enough problems with the "volunteers" so I can just imagine getting flooded with ones who were forced in. Hey JIMMY DEAN, 24k a year is probably more than a starting high school teacher in Little Rock. We are at least guaranteed raises every 1 Jan plus every 2 year raises. I was looking up pay numbers for one of my students. She was getting married (another AF member )and heading to Shaw (South Carolina) With 6 months in the Air Force they will be pulling down a combined 55K a year. Find another company in America that pays 18 year olds that kind of money. I'm a Mil married to Mil couple and we are over 100k. The Air Force takes care of those who choose to stay around.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Re: Draft/ Mandatory service
Originally posted by Jimmy Dean
I think there should be a mandatory service of say 2 years....
I feel military member have a higher set of morals and values than the average civilian, also, military service gives you a larger view of the world and its real problems. I think this could help to straighten out some of the youth in our country.
I think there should be a mandatory service of say 2 years....
I feel military member have a higher set of morals and values than the average civilian, also, military service gives you a larger view of the world and its real problems. I think this could help to straighten out some of the youth in our country.
How can you say military persons have a higher set of morals? I know plenty of people in the military, (4 uncles, 2 grandfathers, dad, 2 brothers, 8 cousins) and through them I know a lot more and have spent a lot of time on military bases. Trust me, military personell are just as messed up as the rest of us are.
BTW, I do think every person in the military is a hero for protecting us and putting themselves before the rest of the american people.