You are way off topic, pard.

 

I have to wonder whether there are any constitutional, or at least philosophical, issues other than "I served therefore everyone else should." Isn't this the kind of thing that allows us to burn the flag (I do not condone this but, theoretically, we do have a right to do so as free speech). My father enlisted in the Marines during Korea. My grandfather was in the Army in WWII. Had a g-g-grandfather in the Civil War. They told me it was about freedom......not compulsory service. None of them carried a "chip on their shoulder" because they served and someone else did not. I know my Dad: he didn't run his mouth...you did your thing and didn't brag about it. His point to me was I should make a choice and stand by it In his case, he enlisted. My Gramps' and Dad's belief's were "freedom is all about CHOICE."
What part of compulsory doesn't sound like freeom...

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Mar-02 AT 03:40 AM (EST)]Hey Chuck 6083

Personnel (3S071) MSgt. They changed all the AFSCs a few years back. This used to be a 732. I actually work in Assignment and do Crew Chief Assignments.

G&R was not a good thing for the military.. Still alot of politics, which I hate...

Pope is still there also and going strong... When I retire, I am quite certain I will miss the military.

 

I dont believe we should have the draft again.

From my time in the USMC, working with other country's military services, this is just a waste of good money. In Isreal for example, some (not all) units are seperated by volunteer or draft. Or they are put in jobs based on volunteer or draft.

IMHO, we should take better care for those who CHOOSE to serve. How about competative wages? I lived under the established poverty line.

I got out because i was tired of being deployed. The reason I was deployed so often was because we didnt have enough people to spead it around. If the military were a more attractive option, we would have the people available.

If you care for those who choose we have a larger, better military.

It would also help if we didn't talk about slashing veterans benefits anytime we feel we are paying too much for our taxes.

My 2 cents!

Thanx
Soujar

 

As a Nam vet I don't really think a draft under currant situation would be a benifit. As a person stated earlier make the military more competive with civilian pay and benifits and you will have more people enlisting and staying in as a carreer.

 

The "times" or atmosphere of the country will dictate when the draft comes back. And when or if it does, there will be overwhelming support. Given the Sept 11th......a few more of those and people will be enlisting big time. National pride and the will to keep peace will be the driving factor behind the draft. As it was in WW2..... jim

 

Heres my 2c:
I think every able bodied male should do 2 years in the military within 6 months of graduating high school, unless they are in college. If an individual dropped out of high school, make it 4 years. (That would lessen the dropout rate!) This would be followed by 2 years of reserve status.
I know it'll never happen. I just think so many young adults nowadays lack personal discipline, maybe service would teach them some. And no, I am NOT suggesting the military should be some sort of "baby sitter."
The military has been gutted since 1992. We need to rebuild it. And that isn't possible without personnel. So many youth have the attitude that the world OWES them a living, and are just plain spoiled, that securing the needed personnel through voluntary enlistment just isn't going to happen.
There are no easy answers to this problem, and I do not mean to imply that this is necessarily the best one. Just how I feel.

 

I joined USMC in 68 and think the draft is GREAT, even in peacetime. The reason? Draftees come in hating the military, want as little to do with it as possible, and therefore want to avoid trouble. They will obey orders and won't bitch and whine like some mama's boys do, or kiss-butt. They are only in for two years and know it. They will say, "You can work me as hard as you like, Sarge, but in two years I'm gone." They don't care if it's filling sand-bags for twelve straight hours, they will just say, "One more day gone." The other reason I like the draft is that it's good for a young man's character. Of all my friends that I can think of, the veterans managed to avoid jail, problems at home, etc. Military service matures you. Another good thing is that the draft ensures a good mix of skills. For instance, farm-boys can fix most anything in the field, carpenters are great bunker-builders, electricions are great at setting mines, etc.

 

Do you guys notice that there is a huge gap in pay between the officers and enlisted? A Captain (O-4) with 4 years of service makes as much money as a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) with 20 years of service. In fact, if you are a married Private, you'll be eligible for food stamps.

 

I have to say I agree with the draft. I think it would be good for EVERYONE to serve 2 years. After that you serve time in the inactive reserves. This will assure us of having a ready and able force IF it is needed. Just my 2c.

BTW; I served- 1-67 to 12-69 U.S.Army. ;-)

 

A private will get you food stamps? Probably...but so will a beginning teacher...hmmmmmm...... that's interesting. jim
http://www.48f-1.com

 

just because you served in the military doesn't mean everyone else should have to. our economy is in a slump as it is, imagine removing a whole generation from it for two years.

also, talking about we need to build back up our military, it doesn't seem like we're getting our butts handed to us anywhere, so why worry about that? war nowadays seems to be mostly "push a button and watch em burn"

not all of todays youth is spoiled rotten. most of you older people have become just what you hated your elders for. stereotyping the younger generation. I hear old people talking all the time about how bad they had it "back then." I hate to tell you, but its not so easy today. see how you would've done back then with the education we recieve today. I took the same math class in 8th grade that my mother took as a senior, and she was valedictorian.

Don't complain to us and say everyone should have to serve. Its my choice, its my freedom. I'm helping our country by staying off welfare. If you take that freedom from me, I will fight our government, not another one (regarding mandatory service, not the draft)

 

Do you still have to sign up for the selective service? I remember having to do that back when I graduated school back in '94. Keepin people in the military for a full 20 (or past first enlistment even) has become tougher. Most people now days are too lazy for the service. Who likes the idea of doing pushups, when sleeping late, and playing the Nintendo require nearly no physical activity or visible long term commitment. WHO nobody wants earn $1000 a month (dont know what currnent payscales are, but I have a feeling they havent gone up too much.) Or retire on 35%(or less) of their highest paygrade, would you? Who wants to work for $3.50 an hour,living below poverty levels??? I did my 3 years in the Navy, and thank god I didn't have any kids to support! Sure you got base housing, or extra $$$ to live off base, free (lousy) medical care, and some fringe benifits like getting credit really easily, (damn LOI's!!!), but is the suffering worth it? In my opinion, no. Does it build character, yes.

(I feel that if I had been on a different ship *MAYBE* my view of my time in the service would have been differnt, but the general attitude on the boat was that of a negative one, and I allowed it to rub off on me so I guess it is all what you make of it.)

To put this post back on topic, I feel that yes, if nescessary, if the active and inactive reserves could not fill our countries needs, then yes, the draft would need to be re-inacted

Tony

'74 F250. 460, "beater"
'73 F250, "midnight auto" now a trailer
'77 F250, 460 transplantee, "Flamer"

 

I read alot of comments about the kids nowadays being lazy and spoiled. Isn't it the parents responsibility to raise their children with morals and respect, why push it off onto the military. This is a whole new topic, but I think parents need to take responsibility.

 

>A private will get you food stamps? Probably...but so will
>a beginning teacher...hmmmmmm...... that's interesting. jim
>http://www.48f-1.com

A single Private won't get food stamps but a married Private will. $12,000 isn't much to raise a family on and even if you add the housing allowance, it'll still be less than $20,000.