Rough Draft The gross unfairness of an all-volunteer Army.

Slate ^ | March 22, 2006 | Jacob Weisberg

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Three years after the invasion of Iraq, the United States does not feel much like a country at war. Nearly 20,000 American soldiers have been killed or injured to date, but the more comfortable among us find it shockingly easy to forget about the conflict for weeks at a time. Most middle-class professionals, academics, and journalists don't have relatives or friends serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. We have not been called upon to make any sacrifices, financial or otherwise. We hear less and less about the occupation on the evening news, and even in big cities it is unusual to encounter an anti-war demonstration. The third-anniversary protest staged in New York last weekend was an especially shabby assemblage of moth-eaten radicals.

The main reason that the war remains so remote from the lives of middle-class Americans is the absence of a military draft. This is a subject that no one seems to want to talk about. Supporters of the war definitely do not want to talk about it. President Bush and Vice President Cheney react angrily to any suggestion that a draft might be needed, because they know that the prospect of conscription would make their decision to invade Iraq even more unpopular. Having lived through Vietnam and shirked the draft themselves, they understand that if people anywhere near their own station in life were forced to fight, any remaining support for wars of arguable necessity would dry up and blow away.

Nor does the military want to discuss a draft, even though it is increasingly overstretched, required to rely on declining enlistment standards and "stop loss" orders to maintain even the current, insufficient troop levels. The Pentagon's reason for avoiding the subject is its probably accurate assumption that conscription would yield a less pliable and effective fighting force.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

There is a big disconnect between the military and the society it is serving. Fewer and fewer Americans have any useful military knowledge. The burden of this war is being carried by the troops and their families, with support from veterans and well-meaning but generally clueless Red Staters.

Veterans are not near as numerous as they used to be. A citizen could pick up some erroneous idea from the MSM and never meet anybody who would correct their misapprehension. This general lack of military knowledge makes the citizenry vulnerable to enemy propaganda and MSM bias.

Military technology has moved beyond conscription. Political Correctness forbids the military from using the proven methods of motivating relunctant draftees who don't want to be there. The draft isn't coming back, but some way must be found to educate the general population on what the tiny percentage of its sons and daughters in the military do, and why it is important.

[DManA]

The state stealing two years of a life is fair? Resorting to a draft if an admission of societal failure.

[MNJohnnie]

Out of a 12 million person military during the 1980s about 1 Mil were combat arms. Bigger is NOT better. Especially for Counter Insurgency ops. Our military is the best in the world. Let us let it do IT'S job instead of trying to use it as a laboratory for Social Change.

[RHINO369]

"The main reason that the war remains so remote from the lives of middle-class Americans is the absence of a military draft."

A very true statement. I don't think one person from my high school graduating class (2004) joined the army. One guy I knew went to the Air Force Academy but that was it. I personally do not know one person who has even been to Iraq let alone got wounded.

[normy]

President Bush and Vice President Cheney react angrily to any suggestion that a draft might be needed, because they know that the prospect of conscription would make their decision to invade Iraq even more unpopular.,>

The truth is that the draft is not needed, but the desire for the draft to be implemented by the libs is to give them the "poor man" or "minority" argument in opposing this war. They also know the war would become unpopular and cause a Vietnam style reaction, which was of course their moment of being valid.

[edcoil]

A day, heck, almost a single moment does not go by without the MSM reminding us the failures of our war. The comment that people forget it for weeks at a time is simply a lie by slate.

Maybe they have forgotten but we have not.

[KarlInOhio]

Most middle-class professionals, academics, and journalists don't have relatives or friends serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

There are about 130,000 troops are in Iraq and about 300,000,000 people in the country. If each person has about 100 close relatives and friends, the average person has about 4% chance of being close to someone in Iraq. Even if you increase that to include those in Afghanistan and those rotated out, I wouldn't be suprised that most people don't know anyone in the war.

As for the draft, those supporting it the most want it so that the anti-draft (mistakenly called anti-war) protests of the Vietnam War are started for the War on Terror.

[91B]

Hell I had enough trouble keeping volunteers motivated for a year. Don't get the wrong impression, I love my troops and they did an outstanding job, but they required the occasional kick in the ass. I don't even want to think of what it would have required to motivate drafties.

[bondjamesbond]

Instituting a draft in order to raise awareness of military issues is like chopping somebody's leg off to make them sensitive to the issues facing the handicapped.

We don't need a draft. The military does not want a draft. The last thing we need is a bunch of people in the Army who do not want to be there.

How can the current system be unfair absent compulsion? Can it be unfair to offer an opportunity to somebody who willingly accepts it?

[SuzyQue]

Amazing how hard the anti-American, Bush-hating left will twist itself in knots to make a political "point". Noodle-men all. They wouldn't know an honest thought if they stumbled over one.

[robowombat]

"Political Correctness forbids the military from using the proven methods of motivating relunctant draftees who don't want to be there."

Exactly. What this smuck really wants is to saddle the US with an unusable military by virtue of filling it with many unwilling short term conscripts. Any resort to armed force could be quickly countered with numerous 'resisters' seeking sanctuary in Canada and in churches, news conferences featuring these sorry people, whining parents of conscripts bloviating in the media, and the whole wretched Viet Nam scenario that the press loved to hype then of reluctant and unwilling soldiers in a war 'that's not mine'.

[RexBeach]

What an a**hole. If the US still had a draft or was proposing a draft, this meathead would be moaning and groaning and complaining about how unfair the draft was.

[dead]

The left only desires a military draft because it will make it easier for them to turn people against the military.

It's tough to turn an all-volunteer outfit into a fearsome societal boogeyman that needs to be melted down into socialized medicine and government cheese.

[pikachu]

Everytime I hear a liberal whine about people not makign sacrifices, I ask them what they are willing to give up to help the ar effort. Hazelnut syrup in their Starbucks? Bannining Ipods one day a week? Batteries for the Blackberry? And NONE of 'em are willing to give up anything.

[yldstrk]

Total horse hockey. I am an attorney and know personally at least three people, no four, who are officers over in Iraq, two attorneys and one officer from another country, and two LTCs whose branches I can't remeber. The all volunteer force has provided the best trained most dedicated professional force the world has ever seen, so the MSM's version of the presumed "truth" is nothing but vapor.

[trubluolyguy]

I wouldn't mind a system like Israel has, you serve your time, you get a free college or vocational education. Thing is, we just don't need that here.

[Galveston Grl]

I can't imagine anything worse for the military than opening it up to whinny liberals who will have nothing to do but whinem mug for the cameras and sue. If we had to install the draft for a big war - we needed a sudden surge of troops - then the liberals would be too busy staying alive to whine and sue.

[Michael.SF.]

well-meaning but generally clueless Red Staters.

There is the real truth to what this clown believes. None of us, who support our efforts to stop/end terrorism, are smart enough to know that capitulation is the only way to deal with continued attacks against our society.

Thank you Chamberlain, thank you Carter, thank you Clinton, thank you DNC.

[nicko]

I know many who have been there; several MOPH recipients...I talk to these men and women everyday- I've taught them in my classes, and they work for me as VA workstudy students...they are very interesting people...

[Wristpin]

These libs kill me....Anything to undermine and cast aspersions on the military. If they aren't demanding the draft, they complain about lowering standards!

There was a good article last week about the hoops recruiters have to jump through making goal. By the time you weed out the obese, the low test scorers, the ritalin addicted, the non high school grads, the criminal record holders and druggies only 25 percent of the nations 18-24 year olds qualify for military service. I imagine a high percentage of nonqualed misfits come from "Blue areas".

He does bring up a good point, there will be fewer veterans among the US population as a percentage. Once the WWII and Korea vets die off, only 1 in 25 americans will be a veteran.

[Michael.SF.]

I am an attorney and know personally at least three people, no four, who are officers over in Iraq

Brother in law, an attorney -- His son, a Ranger, served in Afghanistan, now about to graduate from College, paid in part by the Army.

Me, an Engineer -- My son (computer specialist) served on the USS Lincoln (Their MISSION was ACCOMPLISHED!!). He was offered upper middle 5 figure job upon his discharge. Turned it down to go to college.

The examples to refute this guys claims would be virtually endless!

[xarmydog]

Draftees were a nightmare when I served.Most of them anyway.They really hated being in the Infantry.Talk about having to kick them in the ass,that happened often when I served.Someone had to do it.I was not going to be court Marshalled for not getting the job done.The blame for it all fell on the people in charge,not the higher ups who were responsible for the mess they created.I witnessed many career soldiers bail out during that period of time.A huge loss to the military of highly trained professionals.I hung in there until Carter started his PC crap.I could not serve under a sissy.

[D-Chivas]

These leftists hated the draft in the 1960s, but now they want to bring it back under some weird pretense of "fairness" to all the classes. What a bunch of intellectual hypocrites and morons.

[builder]

I personally do not know even one person who has been to Iraq let alone wounded.

Wow. I must be living in a parallel universe.I live in a 10,000 population town in Northern California.I have a nephew , cousin and best friend"s son who enlisted after 911,and served in Iraq and Afghjanistan. Two have re-upped.Two of my employees have sons currently in Afghanistan. All of these MEN were above average intelligence and NOT from military families or backgrounds.Needless to say we follow the war closely.

God bless these young men.

[Wonder Warthog]

"The draft isn't coming back, but some way must be found to educate the general population on what the tiny percentage of its sons and daughters in the military do, and why it is important."

The simple answer to this is UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING. ALL young Americans be required to serve one year of training upon graduation or separation from high school. During that time they get physical conditioning, basic marksmansip, and other "boot-camp" style training.

Continuation into the "regular military" remains voluntary as current.

[HawaiianGecko]

This is the most pathetic reason I have ever heard for the reinstatement of the draft. I spent 4 years in the military while the draft existed. I can assure folks that 90% of first term servicemen that I worked with knew and stated from day one that they were also last termers. They had no intentions of learning their job well because it was not going to be a career. Most came into work with hangovers three or more days a week. Many were vehemently anti-war. Explain to me why in the hell I would want anti-war people in an organization that is designed to kill.

This article is a joke and isn't even remotely reasoned in it's premise.

 

[Night Hides Not]

What a bunch of intellectual hypocrites and morons.

And the political leaders of this group are Hillary, Feingold, and Reid.

They have no moral leaders, because they are amoral: gaining power over others is their quest.

We, my brothers (and sisters) in arms from the mid-70s to the mid-80s, worked damn hard to make the all volunteer force successful. A return to the draft would be like spitting in the face of all who have volunteered to serve their country.

Rest assured that the liberals would write plenty of exemptions into the system.

[CatoRenasci]

Yes, there is a disconnect between society and the military, but whose fault is it?

It seems to me that the elite abandoned the military, rather than the military rejecting members of the elite. Those who bemoan the disconnect are usually those who (1) have not served and (2) are not about to serve in the military.

If these people were serious about bridging the gap, they would have ROTC at every elite college and university and encourage every student physically able to enroll in the ROTC, take a reserve commission, and serve a couple of years on active duty. Their views would then have to survive the test of reality on the ground, and, if their ideas were valuable in the crucible of combant, would perhaps influence others. I won't take these complaints seriously until I see them put their bodies on the line.

VMI '70

[Jibaholic]

Liberal logic: "White men are dying for their country! We need to draft minorities so we can play the race card!"

[JackHawk]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Personally, I liked this statement. No one ask that any more & that's a shame. Wars are difficult to maintain where there is NO sacrifice from the general public. The MSM bombards us with bombs & mayhem. They show no other results other than death & destruction. The public gets tired of thinking we're losing, even though we're not! I don't have the answer, but listening to whiners who have made no sacrifice makes me sick. Preemptive action is necessary to avoid 911's, but some times... perhaps people need a wake up call!

[7thson]

I do not know him personally but I met a waiter a couple of weeks ago - a former Navy Corpsman who worked with the Marines in Iraq. Pretty cool dude. Basically seconded what a lot of others are saying who have been there - it is bad - being war time conditions - but it is getting better. He is going to school and eventually wants to be a doctor. I got the impression that eventually he will let the military pay for his schooling and then serve several more years in the Navy.

[7thson]

They are out there, they just do not wear banners saying they are veterans.

[LZ_Bayonet]

The draft, with a huge supply of "baby boomer" manpower lured LBJ and his military leadership into thinking they were capable of "fighting the enemy's war", i.e. defensive (in a most inappropriate jungle environment). And, encouraging them to come up with excuses and immediately take "off the table" the launching of ground raids on North Vietnam (forcing the North to keep and supply "defensive" troops in the North). Can you imagine MacArthur putting up with such stupidity?

Unfortunately, that meant volunteer and draftee suffered the result equally. Another good reason for volunteers not to want a draft.

[RedStateRocker]

I tried to join three times (rejected for hearing loss) but I would fight to the point of violence or jail against ANY form of draft. I'm 44, fat and with a bad attitude these days but I'd be behind a machine gun or flying a chopper tomorrow if needed; but tell me I *HAVE* to go and they'll WISH it was just Al Quiada here instead of a native they PO'd.

[RHINO369]

"I know many who have been there; several MOPH recipients...I talk to these men and women everyday- I've taught them in my classes, and they work for me as VA workstudy students...they are very interesting people..."

I'm sure they are, I'm just commenting on the fact that the WOT and Iraq have had ZERO effect on my life. I feel the same is true more most middle class Americans.

[Salgak]

Really. That's one thing I like out here in West Virginia: people like and even actively HONOR vets. . .

. . .as opposed to DC Metro. . .where I had an interview shortly after separating from the USAF. . .where the interviewer asked me why I served in the military, "instead of doing something useful. . .".

I stood up, walked out, and asked for the interviewer's supervisor. When she showed up, I asked her if it was company policy to gratuitously insult candidates, especially candidates for a contract supporting the Department of Defense. . .

Several years later, I ran into the interviewer again: he ranted at he for "getting him fired". . . I responded that I didn't get him fired. . .he got himself fired. . .

[RHINO369]

"I tried to join three times (rejected for hearing loss) but I would fight to the point of violence or jail against ANY form of draft. I'm 44, fat and with a bad attitude these days but I'd be behind a machine gun or flying a chopper tomorrow if needed; but tell me I *HAVE* to go and they'll WISH it was just Al Quiada here instead of a native they PO'd."

I understand why a draft is a bad idea against Al Quiada, but why do you categorically oppose a draft in any case. I feel it is a citizens duty to protect our nation if our nation needs it. So if we needed a draft I'd support it.

I was seriously thinking about doing Rotc when I started college 2 years ago, but the amount of college money they'd give me would barely cover the extra expense I'd have to pay because my degree, electrical engineering, would take an extra semester or two if i was doing ROTC. Plus even if I choose to go reserve I'd most likely get called up right away. So I have tremendous respect for those who chose to join the military, because their service protects people like me who didn't want to fight.

[Sarajevo]

I don't even want to think of what it would have required to motivate drafties.

A stint in the CCF or Retraining Brigade did wonders in the '70's

[demoRat watcher]

The only reason the radical left is pushing for a draft, is to get more people to show up at their stupid "anti-war" protests.

They believe their draft protests of the early seventies did more to advance their agendas than anything else they've ever done. They want to relive the "glory days".

[Squantos]

I remember a professional athlete trying to validate their high wages and benefits in a interview. Said that their career was over if they were injured and should not have to worry about their fiscal future in order to play their best game. Thus their multi-million dollar paydays.

We should make sure "all" our servicemen can be the best at their game without worry also.....pay and benefits with a "real" level of insurance and medical for ones family comes to mind.

.... Red Adair once said "if ya think hiring a professional is expensive , wait till ya hire an amateur"

NO DRAFT........Ever ! ......Just my opinion based on first hand experience during my military career.

[armymarinemom]

The only reason the radical left is pushing for a draft, is to get more people to show up at their stupid "anti-war" protests. They believe their draft protests of the early seventies did more to advance their agendas than anything else they've ever done. They want to relive the "glory days".

Thank you. I have a hunch that if the draft is brought back we would see an increase in protests and fragging incidents.

[tpaine]

Cannoneer No. 4:

"The draft isn't coming back, but some way must be found to educate the general population on what the tiny percentage of its sons and daughters in the military do, and why it is important."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The simple answer to this is UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING. ALL young Americans be required to serve one year of training upon graduation or separation from high school.
During that time they get physical conditioning, basic marksmansip, and other "boot-camp" style training.
Continuation into the "regular military" remains voluntary as current.
25 Wonder Warthog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One year wouldn't be needed. Six or even three months would suffice. -- Particularly if the training itself was made a necessary part of qualifying to vote in national elections. -- No UMT, no vote.

This idea would require a Constitutional Amendment, but even having the amendment fight would be worth the effort.

[CIB-173RDABN]

A very true statement. I don't think one person from my high school graduating class (2004) joined the army.

---

I am from the Class of 1964. Sometimes late at night, when all is quiet, and I feel a little melancholy, I will do a google search on "Class of 64" and "Viet Nam".

There are an amazing number of young man that went, and did not come home. I read their story, and think, does anyone outside their family remembers, and then I think, well I remember.

[Wonder Warthog]

"One year wouldn't be needed. Six or even three months would suffice. -- Particularly if the training itself was made a necessary part of qualifying to vote in national elections. -- No UMT, no vote..."

Well, I picked "1 year" both as a "nice, round number", and because it will assist those who are planning to go on to college. In some programs, getting into the academic year "off-cycle" can cause significant problems.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Well-meaning but generally clueless Red Staters was my line. By generally clueless I mean they have little understanding of what military people actually do. Posters on FR are likely to have more relationships with service members or veterans than the general population, but I don't think the majority of Americans know enough about the military. I think in past years, because so many served in WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, most families and most communities had some connection. That connection is much less evident nowadays.

Bringing back the draft is not a good idea, but the draft did provide a significant number of citizens with knowledge.

[SycoDon]

Exactly. This fuck and those like him are all Drama Queens, professional whiners, and exceedingly ignorant of the military.

[RexBeach]

THE BEST neighbors I have ever had have been military folks. They are fun, responsible and considerate of others. And if you need help at any hour, man, there they are. Ready to help.

God bless'em.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I'm one who "bemoans" the disconnect. I'm less interested in establishing blame than in discussing what can realistically be done about it.

ROTC in most universities and JROTC in all high schools is a good idea. Don't know if the political will to make that happen exists.

USM '78

[Cecily]

Agreed. Pat Tillman, his brother, and his teammate are other examples. I know someone who is quite rich whose oldest son could have picked any school and any career. The son chose VMI and a career in the Army, which he is just now beginning as an artillery officer.

[nicko]

excellent post- well said..."we, we happy few, we band of brothers..."