>If I thought there was an impending threat of a draft, I
>would join before my name was called. The only thing I
>don't like about it is not being able to choose which branch
>you are put in. I would probably go into the Air Force, as
>jet mechanic or in motor pool. Come to think of it, I would
>probably be put into the motor pool no matter where I went,
>either that or somewhere fabricating stuff, if they looked
>at my skills and work history. Also, to the politicians,
>and anybody else who bases there oppinions off of the Black
>Panther guys in Forrest Gump: Grow up. More white people
>get drafted than blacks, yet we don't sit there and say, The
>draft is sending poor white boys off to be killed. Quit
>your whining.

Thought I'd comment on "my skills and work history" - the army doesn't care about them. If they need cooks - you're a cook, if they need gun crews - you're gun crew. When I entered I selected 3 choices and ended up being something else - I was luckey they needed radar techs at the time. The reason I had myself placed on the draft list was the term of duty was two years whereas the term for enlistment in any branch was three or four years.

Also someone said that draftees don't perform as well as enlistees - not so! We were all trained togather and did the job. We drilled and drilled until doing our job was automatic. After all the years that have passed, I could take my seat in that radar unit today and still do it.
Dono

 

>>
>Also someone said that draftees don't perform as well as
>enlistees - not so! We were all trained togather and did the
>job. We drilled and drilled until doing our job was
>automatic. After all the years that have passed, I could
>take my seat in that radar unit today and still do it.
>Dono

draftees might be able to perform tasks in training just as well as enlistees, but when the **** hits the fan in combat, a voluteer accepts that as his duty because that's what he signed up to do, and he has no qualms about what he is doing, whereas a draftee who was planning on going to college to be a bean counter probably won't perform the same in the same situation. that's all i was saying. why do you think so many soliders were apathetic in vietnam? most of them didn't want to be there. correct me if my reasoning is wrong

 

i disagree cek181. you put anyone, draftee or voulenteer, in the line of fire and the results will be close if not identical. nobody wants to die and that will be motivation enough for either of them, regaurdless of service status.

 

People say the same thing about reservists and national guardsmen. "They just joined to get the benefits and won't really have any motivation to fight a war". Doctrine has proven this to be the opposite. Most of the "weekend warriors" have proven to be very effective in combat. A lot of draftees fought and died just as hard as volunteers. Failed military units fail not due to the initial attitude of their troops but the quality of leadership. If you are in the military or ever have been you wil know what I am saying. A bad set of leadership will produce an unmotivated and worthless unit everytime with no exceptions.

 

I was in the service during the draft years, and draftees served as well as everyone else, and did their jobs. In many cases draftees were resigned to their fate, while enlistees would bitch about things endlessly. The draft has the added benifit of bringing in people with civilian skills that help their units. For instance, a farm-boy makes a great mechanic, without being trained by the army. As far as the racial issue, we were all GREEN and made the most of the situation. I don't have to love Rap music to get along with the guy in a foxhole with me.

 

IN fact come to think of it my grandfather was drafted. He was only in for 9 months becasue the other two guys who were helping him carry some radar equipment ran off when they heard distant fire. He carried the equipment to safety by himself and ruined his back. He hated the fact that he was drafted and did not want to be in the military but did what he had to.

 

Hmmm...not really sure what to think on the whole draft issue, but would like to share a thought a friend of mine had -
"If there was a draft, professional atheles should be first. Why? Firstly, they are obviously in the best shape of anyone in the country and should be able to do a better job of defending it. Secondly, they get paid millions to entertain us and we give it to them, so they damn well better go to war and protect us!"

FYI - not me, just something I thought I'd share as a piece of amusement. Take it how you will.

I must say that I think I agree with Ken Payne's point:
"The only one's saying that are the Democrats because they're trying to stir up the pop against Bush and the situation certainly doesn't call for it."

Keep it Rubber Side Down!

 

in that case, i give in. you guys have alot more experience than me so your probably right. i just don't see how someone who doesn't want to be there will perform as well as someone who does want to be there. just one of those things without a clear answer i guess.

 

i like to compare the draft to TAXES. its something no one wants to deal with but is important for the country and its citizens.

if the government told me to go kill people who are threatening my country ill go, and i wont complain about it. its got to be done.


BuiltToughF250

 

I think all you people who support it are idiots. I have better things to do with my time. I'm not THAT patriotic. I'm not about to die for some idiot president who wants to better himself. As far as I'm conserned I'd rather jump off a bridge

 

>in that case, i give in. you guys have alot more experience
>than me so your probably right. i just don't see how
>someone who doesn't want to be there will perform as well as
>someone who does want to be there. just one of those things
>without a clear answer i guess.

cek181 - I totally agree - I can't remotely understand how an unwilling person will perform as well as a willing one. Look at school, the kids who wanted to be there sat up front and got A's. The rest just do what it takes to get the heck out of the place.

Keep it Rubber Side Down!

 

>I don't think a draft is a good thing, but I was interested
>in the idea where every man and woman was required to serve
>18 months after graduating High School. If you drop out of
>school a year early, you add 12 months on your Military
>service, and so on.
>
>I like the idea that everyone serves, kids have the
>opportunity to grow up a little without Mom and Dad wet
>nursing them, and they all enter Colege at the same time.
>Patriots don't fall behind.
>
>I dislike one guy getting Drafted and all his friends having
>a four year colege education when he gets out of the
>service.
>
>
>I've donned the flame proof underwear, let me have it....

I'm intrigued by the "18 month" idea. I think it's great - like you said, let some of these kids grow up for a bit without mom and dad wet-nursing them. I'm 20 years old and in college, but I would really like to join the service, except that would put a kink in my college plans.

XXL

 

Dasmoof- This is not about the betterment of a pres, or any politician. It is about removing a threat to the world community. I am willing to place money on going after NK, or DPRK, or whatever it is called that week immedietely after Iraq. With all the crap that is going on, I feel it actually would be safer there than here, especially where I am at. I am starting work shortly at Electric Boat, and I live directly accross the river from the sub base. There is also a major bridge carrying I-95 and rt. 1 accross the river right between the two. I am in the bullseye. At least in a theater of war there is more security. Everybody is on alert. But beyond that, how can you sit there and say everybody who supports it is an idiot? I guess you have a bust of Bill Clinton on your mantel, too, right? I just really don't understand how anybody can say these kinds of things. Now, granted, I don't fly a flag where I live, I even have a rebel flag on my truck. But I will stand up and fight, live, or die for my country, simply because that is what has to be done. If the whole country had attitudes like your's, there would be a bunch of Germans or Japanese running this place now. I am doing this for people like you, who take the freedoms they have been GIVEN for granted. Personally, I want this, so I can better appreciate those same freedoms. 'Nuf said.

 

We had a guy come abord ship who had run into trouble with the law in his youth. He was 17. The judge told him he had a choice between juvenile hall or the military. He choose the navy. I was assigned to take him around and get him checked in. His attitude was "I'm just here to do my time and get the .... out". I just knew this guy would not be good for the division but decided to give him a chance. It turned out this guy truned into a 4.0 sailor. A little disipline, responsibility, leadership, structure and friendship turned this guy into a good friend and comrade I could depend on if ever the spam hit the fan. My point is that even those who might not appear to be gung ho about the military will do their jobs just fine when given the oppertunity to prove themselves. The military isn't for everybody. We had a few that I wish had just stayed home. But for the most part I think the draft would work in this day and age. There was a lot of talk and protest about why we were in Viet Nam in the first place. I'm not here to debate that war. But now, we have been attacked. We have a real threat against us. We know who the enemy is. Yes, there are sill protests against going to war and not everybody is in agreement about how do deal with these threats at home and abroad. It just seem's that now, in this war, we have a purpose, a duty to defend our country that has come under attack. We know that our enemies want to do us more harm. And it's not just here in this country but this is a global threat. I think most americans can get a grip on that fact. And for this reason I think most americans will support reinstating the draft if need be. And those who get called up will have at least a sense of duty, honor, and a purpose. And that will be their motivation.

 

>I think all you people who support it are idiots. I have
>better things to do with my time. I'm not THAT patriotic.
>I'm not about to die for some idiot president who wants to
>better himself. As far as I'm conserned I'd rather jump off
>a bridge

I think you need to go find that bridge.



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