The basic problem with the draft (as it existed when my status went from 2S to 1A shortly after graduation from college) is that it was not universal. There were many ways to play the system (just ask Dick Cheney) and eligible draftees with money and connections could weasel their way out of service, or at least keep them out of any combat zones.
I'd be in favor of some system of universal national service without loopholes for the privileged few.

Last edited by Rongone (3/20/2015 9:57 am)

tennyson wrote:

I would like to see a draft for Universal Service (to our country). It need NOT necessarily be in the military. 
 

 

Yes, that's what I meant.

Just Fred wrote:

The cyincal side of says the military-industrial complex doesn't want it because it would greatly affect the future military engagements we might become involved in.  With a draft, too many more people would be paying attention to what is going on and what they are up to.

 
Well, there is that dynamic, for sure.
But, it's also true that a volunteer professional force makes a better army than a band of conscripts.

Just Fred wrote:

BTW, I wouldn't want to tell a WWII vet like my dad that he and his mates were inferior soldiers to a volunteer band of professionals.  Might be some Vietnam vets out there who might feel the same way.  Just sayin'.

No need for folks to get their backs up.
WWII was a special circumstance. The draft was huge, capturing people from all walks of life. Few people tried to evade it. There was also a sense of national mission. A modern day draft is unlikely to reproduce those conditions. 9 percent of Americans were in uniform during WWII. Less than 1% have seen active duty today. People wanted to fight, and believed in the fight.

Compare that fighting force of citizen soldiers, or our present all voluteer army,  to the poorly motivated and trained conscript army that the Soviets sent to Afghanistan, to a war that was an unpopular sideshow for that nation, and I hope that you will see what I mean.