Reinstating draft would end needless conflicts

Fairfax Times ^ | 8/31 | Dave Ryan

[stylin19a]

heck make everyone serve three years starting when they get out of high school no exceptions

and they get to keep their weapons after they get out.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Yep, but we don’t have a low tech military now.

[LouD]

You are misinformed as to who actually comprises the all volunteer force.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/08/who-serves-in-the-us-military-the-demographics-of-enlisted-troops-and-officers

[LouD]

If the need did arise for a large military, how would we mobilize, train, equip and house it?

We have registration for the draft. If necessary, a draft could be implemented in a relatively short time. There are plenty of mothballed military facilities, even post-BRAC, to accomdate them. If not, I'm sure there are plenty of GP-Mediums in storage somewhere.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The premise that the wealthy/elitists are the ones that the politicians are really voting to support and they are NOT entering the military

Except they are. 25% of the enlisted military and 40% of the ROTC comes from the top 20%. If anything the children of the wealthy are over represented in the military.

So when the premise that the editorial is based on is deliberately wrong (I say deliberately because the facts are readily available) then it follows that the editorial would be best used to enhance the growth of plants.

[Road Glide]

“With Democrats, hatred for and avoidance of the military is the norm. But too many conservatives, and Freepers, don’t care much for military service themselves.”

Well said.

There are many, many young so-called conservative “tough talkers” in this forum who will run for cover the moment “draft” is mentioned. They’ll talk a good talk, but they ain’t a-walkin’ no draft walk!

The struggle that exists in the world today is of such magnitude, that it will not be won withOUT near-universal service of the men of The West. We haven’t reached that point in the conflict yet, but it will come someday...

I was actually drafted TWICE. First in October 1969. Then again in June, 1970...

[Teacher317]

The hate-mongering Left once again salivates at the merest possibility that ANY wealthy or privileged white male might get forced to live a more humble existence for a few years... even if it means reversing their positions on numerous issues they once detested.

[dglang]

I agree with you. I was in the Army from 1964 to 1967. I enlisted to be in the 5th Army Band at Ft. Sheridan Illinois which was a GREAT band.

I remained at Ft.Sheridan for less than 1 year before I was transferred to the 74th Army Band at Ft. Benjamin Harrison Indiana (Uncle Bennies Rest Home).

One of the members in the 74th was a draftee who only had a third grade education before dropping out of school.

There were some draftees who had college degrees who were drafted upon completion of their college courses.

For the most part, all of the draftees rejected and hated the Army and were eagerly waiting to get out of it after their Term of Service (ETS)had expired.

I believe that they were in for only two years to begin with relative to those Regular Army soldier such as myself who voluntarily enlisted.

From my own personal experience and what I saw, the draftees never had any interest in serving and would do anything possible just to get out. Those who enlisted weren't hostile to the Army and weer proud to be in it and made every effort to be the very best they could be.

The draftees for the most part were either very poorly educated who failed at everything they did or were college grads who never would have voluntarily enlisted in the Army and were very eager to get out of it.

[dglang]

I share your thoughts. In the beginning, only the land owners or those who had the most to lose were allowed to vote.

That assured that the people voting were careful not to vote for something that would harm themselves as well as others.

These days with so many people voting with nothing to lose, we see the resulting laws and taxes aimed at the top 1% only along with those who own the business which employ those who couldn’t provide for their own employment.

Those who contribute nothing to the welfare of the country are the ones who are so eager to tax those who do contribute. Those who don’t bother to work and support themselves are the ones demanding that those who do work support them.

Today’s system is little more than Black Reparations being forced upon the middle class white population.

[Vesparado]

I think we’re in complete agreement on not being the world police and minding our own business!!

[Tublecane]

What struggle requiring universal mobilization of Westerners are you referring to? A new crusade? Against one billion rather dedicated enemies? After which, what, we occupy them forever? Two things:

1. Why?
2. Count me out.

[Gene Eric]

Okay, jackass, name the needless “military crusades” that our brave men and women have fought and died for?

Never mind. Maybe you should just STFU until you learn to prioritize your concerns and speak respectfully of those you pretend to represent.

[retiredday]

You are correct. An all-volunteer, professional military is easily manipulated into being the strong arm of politicians, instead of Americans defending America.

I believe there are two issues here. Drafted “citizen soldiers” doing their duty and service to the country are the best guarantee against the military becoming a political force, as it is today. And we should stop our international military interventionism. Our military should strictly be for national defense, as the Constitution describes.