Heard an interesting topic on the local talk radio station here in Boston. (96.9 FM Talk WTKK)

A host of one of the shows is predicting that the draft will be reinstated sometime in the near future. We all know how Clinton decimated the military, so I don't think I need to explain all that. But a report from CNN came out today saying that the US is not prepared, both equipment wise and MANpower wise, to fight the war on terrorism on the 3 fronts as Bush would like.

What do you think about a draft? (Canadians need not reply. )

BTW, I did my 14 years. But those of you who go, I'll do my part in the war effort and watch after yer truck for ya! Just bring it on over. (with a full tank of gas please...)

 

No. I think that things would have to get a lot worse before it would actually be reinstated. The military would probably increase their enlistment efforts first, to attract more of the quality of enlistee's that they prefer.

If the draft were reinstated, the military would probably have to lower their standards for education and criminal record.

And Monsta...thanks for serving

 

Everybody should serve their country for a while. Whether it's a Civilian Conservation Corp or a tour in the military.

I never did serve the military since I was rejected (bad eyes).

 

if they instate it when I'm 18, I wouldn't dodge it if I were drafted, but I wouldn't enlist. I'm not the military kinda guy, too big of a smart-a*s, don't like taking orders. They can send me their vehicles for work if they wanted....

 

Can u say Vietnam deminstrations all over again? I dont think it'd go over to well. but if it did happen i think i would enlist in the Navy to keep from havin to do all that walkin in the Infantry.

 

As a Canadian I have to admire the American's sense of duty to one's country as I don't see it enough here in mine. I think that everyone should have to do some time in the military. The mandatory service requirement in some of the European countries is a good idea.
Just my opinions, don't want to tick of my fellow Canadians too much.
Don W.

 

Not the draft, per se, but a National Service Requirement. Everyone, male, female, rich, poor, smart, dumb, fast, slow, heterosexual, homosexual, etc must serve.

How long must they serve: Basic requirement is long enough to get trained in doing what you are going to do, plus a certain amount of time doing it.

How long is that certain amount of time: Depents on how many folks we need doing that -- we know from demographics how many we have available because EVERYONE between certain ages must do it.

So what do you do: Military service, teach at Native American schools, be a doctor, a nurse, a janitor, work in clinics, hospitals, parks, whatever the country needs done.

For how long: Depends on the market, lets start with 18 months and adjust. Not enough people signing up for the military, OK, adjust: Military requires 14 months, all others 19 months. So everyone signs up for the military, readjust: military 15 months, all other 18. Etc.

The key is that everyone has to do it. Want a college deferment, good; you can help the country more by being better educated, but you still gotta do it. (Yes, senator's sons and daugheters do to).

What if you don't: Well we gotta work that out. Higher taxes the rest of your life, or no federal, state or county jobs. More expensive auto registration, etc. Get the point: You gotta do it!

You don't care for this country (Canadians, too) the same way if you help make it great, versus, if you pay to make it great. You must be part of it, not part owner.

OK, OK. I've heard the comment before: You got drafted, went to the Nam, and now you are bitter. No way. I did my time, served well and proudly (did I like it? hell no; that's why I got out when my time was up). But I work for the Army now as a civilian. Still proud to serve, different role.

Will it happen? Probably not. Too many people against it (can you say spoiled); politicians lack the courage to work it. We would be better off of we did it.

Well, I've gone on for too long. Thanks for reading. We discuss the issue on occasion; thought I would try a new audience.

(Oh, and regading the comment that you might be too much of a smart---, or think too independently, join up, you'll get over it; we all did).

Raul

 

well im a canuck too ..i would help the USA OR CANADA to combat this ugly mess if needed but i may be too old for the draft. i should of stuck with it when i was eighteen when i passed their appitude test. i wanted to learn how to fly fighter jets or longbow helicopters... but the military told me you can still get killed in training.. at that age i was a little scared of that but now its too late..i should of stuck no matter what ...i looked for a full time job and worked since

 

Yes,I am a Vietnam vet,everyone should be in the service for awhile. It seems to be the right thing to do if you want to be free and live the good life.

 

I'm not at all against reinstating the draft, not that i would ever sign up on my own though, just not something id like to do i guess, then again i dont complain about the goverment. seems like the people that do cringe at the thought of a draft, maybe it would be a very good thing for the USA
Mike S.
1995 F-150 XLT 4.9L

 

I am currently in the USAF and have been in for 14 years. Don't see the draft being reenstated. Right now, as far as I know, each service is at their projected end strength. Forcing people into the military will just bring in unhappy people. These people will serve their 4 years and get out. Takes alot of time and money to train new enlistees and in the long it is just not economical to force them in knowing they will just get out in 4 years. You need to keep folks in the military to allow for skill development. You just can't keep bringing in new people. When there are problems, you need people with a great deal of experience to solve them. The push in the military is not only to bring in qualified people, but to retain them as long as possible. Increasing the end strength of the military can be done; however, there are significant costs involved. The budget is set and takes a lot to increase it.

If a MAJOR war were to come up and I mean MAJOR war, the reserves will be called up. Experiences during the Gulf war proved how invaulable these folks are and what a great job they can do.

I am currently stationed in Germany and the German people either serve in the military for a year or another volunteer type vocation (i.e. fireman). Our military is just too large to do this and the cost involved is just not worth it. A very few jobs could do this, but not too many. After basic training and technical school, a person could be in the military for 4 to 6 months (or more) before they even see their first base. Some career field have to go to technical school for more than a year to learn their job. Takes a lot of money to move people from one base to another so you want people to stay around for awhile. So the year and out is just not a good idea.

With regards to the quality of enlistees. Even with a draft, folks would be carefully screened. Having grown up maybe on the wrong side of the tracks or had some legal troubles, does not in of itself render you ineligible for military service. Every person is looked at as an individual. Some people who have had problems prior to the military have joined and just been outstanding. Coversely, some people came in the military shinny as a new penny and had some big problems. The military is definately not for everyone.

I have been stationed at 6 different overseas locations (Japan, England, Hawaii, Guam, Korea and Germany). Each one brought something new to my life. Completed 4 years of college along the way.

My wife and I are both in the USAF and absolutely love what the military offers us and we are proud to serve our country.

 

Hey Fourbyfour,

What's your AFSC? I was in the USAF from Aug. '86 to Jan. '90. I was an F-4 crew chief in inspection dock at Shaw. I got out because of the Gramm-Rudman deal. Remember? They told me reenlist or get out. I had a good offer so I left. I loved my job and the military, but the politics were just too much where I was. Sometimes I miss it.

 

Of course it should be re-instated. We never should have stopped drafting.

Our youth has been sort of Runamuck for years. Lot's of Loose Cannons matured in the Military. Grew up as it were.

I sort of doubt if it will happen though. The whole U.S. is going too liberal.
I'd think the Military would be better off attracting somebody that wants that kind of action! We got some pretty usless Kid's from the Draft.

We would't need the Draft if he Rest of the world's Free Power's would pull thier weight.

 

Raul for president. I did my tour so should EVERYONE. No exceptions.

 

With all due respect, You also wouldn't need the draft if you didn't try to run the world. Think of bin laden-- put in by the cia to combat Russia, Sadam Hussen-- put in by the U.S. to take care of Iran, Milosevec (sp) Lots of pictures taken of him with Americans in the background. How many tin pot dictators are put in by the U.S. to keep that supply of oil running. I was just reading that in some African countries democricies are being over throwen and a dictator put in with the blessing of the CIA.How's that for a can of worms. Ok go at me

Bountyhunter