Military Draft System to be Tested...

[Kevin Palmer]

Well, I must admit that I did not think it would come to this.....

I still would be shocked to see it come about. They will simply up the moneys they will give you to join in my opinion.



Here is a brief of the story, below is the link to the full story.

WASHINGTON - The Selective Service System is planning a comprehensive test of the military draft machinery, which hasn't been run since 1998.



The agency is not gearing up for a draft, an agency official said Thursday. The test itself would not likely occur until 2009.



Meanwhile, the secretary for Veterans Affairs said that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft and that it shouldn't have any loopholes for anyone who is called to serve. VA Secretary Jim Nicholson later issued a statement saying he does not support reinstituting a draft.



The Selective Service "readiness exercise" would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and the network of appeals boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, said Scott Campbell, Selective Service director for operations and chief information officer

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I too would be surprised to see the draft reinstated. Those Congressman that vote for it would be committing political suicide.



I'm not seeing how "society would benefit" from the draft. I see how the military might, but not society.



Maybe the "threat" of a draft is just what we need.



I say just what we need in that it may allow us all to think more clearly on how best to fight wars like the one in Iraq (hint: militarize the borders and bomb the insurgents AND the civilians that surround them into submission...and if unwilling to do that, just pull out and militarize the borders).



TJR

 

[Jorgie Hidalgo]

no!!!!! i just turned 18!!!!!! aaahhhhh

 

[Ed C]

The military would not benefit from a draft, there's enough problems with people that volunteered for it and "want to be there". If you add draftees to the mix it would get a lot worse. I think the concept of an all volunteer force is part of what makes our military great and sets it appart from other countries, where there is a mandatory service. The quality is just not there. They should concentrate on incentives to keep good people in. ...Or stop fighting wars, that would fix the problem!

I'm not talking about service members that got drafted on previous wars (my dad was one) and performed superbly, without them this country wouldn't be where it is. I'm mostly talking about today's kids, different mind set and set of values.



Ed

 

[EddieS'04]

As a 2yr tour Vietnam vet on a 3yr Army enlisment. I really dont see any problem with a draft. Humans are creatures of directives. Most will learn to cope and do the job. I dont see anymore problem, than with those that were reserves, that thought they would never be called up..JMO

 

[Eric Pennal]

If a draft had already been in place, I think there would have been more scrutiny over this administration's "so-called" case for this war. There would also be a louder cry to get out of there now, if everybody's ass was on the line. It's easier to sell a war when there isn't a shared sacrifice from the general public (tax cuts and an all-volunteer military).

 

[Todd Z]

I normally stick to "ST" posts ,but let them try to come and get my fat a$$..... LOL



( I do appreciate what fire,police, military ECT, do for my safety and freedom, But you will not find me doing any of it)





Todd Z

 

[Wayne Fajkus]

My son talked to some recruiters today. Army has a $40,000 bonus. Navy has a $10,000 sign up bonus.

 

[Ed C]

I used to be a Recruiter for the Army, back then I prayed for the draft!:lol:

 

[Gerald Pierce]

Good thing it's only a test. Given the issues I have with the "volunteers", I'd hate to have to deal with the ones that dont want to be there.



Rather than a draft, just keep playing with the requirements so that those that want to be in can get in.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I'm mostly talking about today's kids, different mind set and set of values.

I think that may be the point. There hasn't been a draft in a generation. As a result, we have a generation of "takers". They expect the government to pay for their college, help them find jobs, take care of their sick children and pay their bills when they are underemployed. They see themselves as having no responsibility to give back to the Country. They even resent having to pay taxes to pay for all the benefits they fill so entitled to receive.



“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” -- Nathan Hale



"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." -- John F. Kennedy



"I need to have another kid before I can get food stamps and WIC." -- Today's Youth

 

[Johnny O]

Pros:

30 years ago you didn't have so many gangstas all over the cities with nothing to do but sell drugs and shoot each other. When you got out of high school, most young men either went to college or spent a few years with Uncle Sam learning discipline and some skills. Although college got you a deferment, that was no guarantee to keep you out.



Cons:

The draft enabled many people to protest the Vietnam war since a lot of them didn't want to be there, not did their families. The military (IMO) is better served by better-skilled people who want to be there. That said, a number of people in the military signed up for the benefits and education, or just to get a job, and didn't really think they'd have to go to war. Up until '91 that was a good plan.



Given my age and birthday I was in the very first group of people after the draft ended to have to "register" with the Selective Service but not be drafted.

 

[Dan Chatten]

I agree with EricP. But the measuring stick should never be "...who it is going to hurt politically." What clearly this war lacked was and is the only reason for going to war IMO - "Was there a clear and present danger to the US?" We can beat up Bush to the cows come home, but there were dozens of countries and political leaders on all sides that were convinced that Iraq had WMD and would use them. When it was determined that was not the case, then we should have pulled our kids out of there, and let the Iraq people determine their fate from that point forward. Building democracy should never be the reason we send our military to war. OK, that is my rant and YES... I voted for Bush.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Johnny O said:

30 years ago you didn't have so many gangstas all over the cities with nothing to do but sell drugs and shoot each other. When you got out of high school, most young men either went to college or spent a few years with Uncle Sam learning discipline and some skills. Although college got you a deferment, that was no guarantee to keep you out.

Actually I would disagree. Thirty years ago and then some, most young men got out of high school and took a job...some went to college, some went into the military, but most started working, soon got married, and soon had kids.



In the past 30 years, "childhood" and "early adulthood" got redefined and extended. It's not uncommon now to see "kids" still living at home well into their late 20s, some into their early to mid 30s. They don't settle down and get married in their late teens and early 20s anymore.



That's the biggest change that I have seen. We talk about the epidemic in the inner cities of "kids having kids". Almost as bad is the middle-aged having kids (waiting for the s-storm on this). You know these folks...late 30s, early to mid 40s and having their first kid. They spent the last 20+ years of their life "doing what feels good", and they may say different, but most of them are tired and burned out...and their parenting skills and dedication show it.



Yes, 15 is too young to raise a kid, but 45 starts to get too old.



I think the biggest problem today is that there are these wasted years, between 18 and 35 for many "young adults" where when they look back at that time, what do they have to show for it?



TJR