As a veteran of the United States Army and the Persian Gulf War, I think bringing the draft back is a WONDERFUL idea.

I believe a few years of service to this country, for those that love it anyway, is not a big deal. Many countries require mandatory service from all males:

South Korea
Germany
Switzerland
Iran

Just to name a few.

I think America should have a similar program as well. This time, making sure all classes got drafted, not just the middle & lower classes. There should be no provisions for getting into the Guard or Reserve to stay home (Until after the active time was served). We should require 26 months of Active Federal service with assignments to wherever bodies are needed.

Since recruitment is down and we have to pull up our National Guard & Reserve forces and there's even talk of calling back old (former) soldiers (Like me), I think a draft would be great.

I did almost 11 years, I often regret not staying in until retirement~ this may be my second chance. Be that as it may, I'd like to know what you think. Do you support the draft? Are you against it? Would you be willing to go if you got that call?

Sam, if you give me my E-6 (SSG) stripes back and 6 months to get in shape before my first PT test- I'll come back in.

 

I was reading an article somewhere that was presenting an opinion by some general stating that ~2 years would not be enough time to recoup the investment it takes to train a modern day soldier and that quite frankly they think that it would hurt overall morale in the Armed Forces. I think you would need some sort of alternative for guys like me who have health problmes that disqualify us from military service. If uncle sam wants me to work in a laboratory for him, that I can and would do. Couldn't get into any branch after High School when my friends did and it wouldn't be any different now. It bothers me I couldn't serve in the military but I played four years of college football.

 

I agree with what CIA said and I would support the draft being brought back.

 

9 year vet

I don't think it would work out too well. We'd run into all the problems we had with the draft in the past. People finding ways around it, etc. We'd end up with a lot of bitter people that didn't want to be there...and that would not be good for the volunteers that serve with those folks. Lots of friction. Also, as mentioned above...trying to get someone highly trained and ready to go would not be feasable with a 2 year enlistment unless they forced all draftees to go into the 11B MOS (infantry)...which doesn't require lots of classroom and training on technical equipment (like the latest commo gear).

I think it should only be used in a real emergency.

 

I think a professional military is best.

Need more recuruits? Incrementally upping the pay will get your recruits.

Forcing people into service isn't the answer, IMHO, and who wants a bunch of slackers defending our country?

Unless service is a part of the cuture, like Israel where everybody must serve, I think pros are the way to go

 

i am a sgt in the U.S. Marines and i can say that in my job people living and dieing can depend on a split second and instant obediance to orders if you have someone that was drafted and doesnt want to be there he wont have the obedience to orders that someone that wants to be in and that is proud, and in my bisness that can get people killed, i would not want a drafted troop in my squad or my Marine corp, even tho i would love to give some of these rich kids a size 13 leather enema if you know what i mean

SGT Cuda U.S.M.C.

 

I don't know if I agree that a draftee force will be a bunch of slackers. They may WANT to be slackers, but I know those "Round-Browns" will get them with the program pretty quickly. At least they used to be able to. Ever hear of "Wall to Wall Counseling?"

Our force in WWI and WWII was mainly draftees, as well as Vietnam. You can't afford to be disobedient in a war-zone, because just as easily as following orders can get you killed, failure to follow orders can too.

And yes, I am speaking mainly of combat arms MOS's when I speak of the draft. You don't need a 110 GT score to pull a trigger; whereas you do to become a commo-tech, or any kind of electronics specialist. I wouldn't let the 2-year folks into those MOS's. In my scheme they'd be:

MP's
Patriot Missile Crewmen
Avenger Crewmen
Armor
Artillery
ADA
Infantry
Cooks
Transportation Specialists
Fuel Handlers
etc...

 

Draft will not work today. Mainly because the way liberals have condition everybody to believe they have a “right” to do as they see fit and what ever they please. The military has kind of gone soft in the last 10 – 15 years due, once again, the liberals wanting to insure everybody feels good about themselves.

No way in hell I would want some whinny *** punk next to me claiming what his “rights” are. In the military you really don’t have a lot of rights, you do what your told or else, or at least that’s how it should be and it ain’t gonna happen today…

 

I personally think all young men, at least, serve compulsory duty for 2 years. Be it anything from Park rangers to Marines. Some sort of civic duty. There are all sorts of things the unfit-for-duty in the military types can do. It would more difficult for special treatment to occur.

I believe that in Sweden this is the case but if you are in the military you are required to keep your rifle after discharge...

 

Keep in mind that there are/have been a lot of recent lawsuits from new recruits, saying that their drill sargents were too tough/discriminatory/too physical/hurt my feelings.

So it's becoming more difficult to get recruits all on the same page.

Gone are the days where smarting-off to your drill sargent resulted in a riffle-butt to the side of the head.

At this rate, we'lll be ready to fight that "sensitive war" that the enemy just loves.

Seriously, we don't need a pussified military where such whiners are tolerated. Boot camp is supposed to be tough. You might even skin your knee or something.

Man-up and take your licks - if you want to be in the military, you need to get with the program.

 

I couldn't agree more. I heard some BS about trainees being able to call something that amounts to "Time Out", Co-Ed training (Which sounds like fun, but come on- you can miss it for 8 weeks) and all other wuss-level stuff. We need to make it like it was. Completely INSENSITIVE. I mean, if you can't take a Drill Sgt getting in your face, buttign you with the brim of their cap, with spit flying on you as they scream~ how are you going to do against bullets? Out of 200+ guys in my training cycle, we had 2 maybe 3 wimps that couldn't hang. For that, they should've been hanged.

I love Patton: I can't stand a Yella-belly.
Be a man for crying out loud~ my WIFE was a soldier for 8 years. She slept on the ground, and ate MRE's too, and she's scared of bugs!

If she can make it, guys can too.

 

I agree 100% with 01 XLT Sport. Speaking from experience, USN active 19-years, I see this first hand. The Sailors that we get today, we have to handle them with "kid gloves." I don't characterize all Sailors, but through the years I see more of this type. We see them as "Gen X" Sailors or ones who try to be a "sea lawyers." Bringing back the draft would make things worse.

 

We called them BA's when I was in the Army: Barracks Attorneys.

10 times out of 10 they didn't know what the ____ they were talking about. They BA's are out here in the real world too; acting as if they know the company handbook backwards & forwards- and what their manager/supervisor/director can or can't do, say, etc.. I have to deal with that crap everyday.

As for the military thought, there's a right way, a wrong way- then there's the Army way.

You can get with the program and enjoy your time in, or resist and have a miserable time. In my almost 10 years, the good times outweighed the bad times 8 to 1. What's more ironic is many of the "volunteers" that couldn't wait to get home, often re-enlisted when the time case. I've only know three 'one-termers'.

I never saw anyone get mistreated in my time. I've seen guys pulling tons of extra duty, lose stripes, etc.; but no one ever got physically hurt. And, generally, those guys that did get their time or money or both taken, did something that warranted it being taken.

Disrespect an NCO or Officer, Fight, slap their wife around, AWOL, late for work too often, failure to follow instructions, missing movement, etc..

Military service is a great thing. I don't regret it; all I wish I'd done differently is come in as an officer rather than as an E-1 BUCK private. I didn't even have "Skeeter" wings.

I support the draft.

 

Well I too served my country for 6 years. During my basic training, I was pushed around, thrown up against my locker and called every name in the book, we all were, at one point or another during basic. It was just that way. It didnt hurt me or emotionally scar me. It made me a better person. Taught me some respect, and made me realize no matter how smart I thought I was, I didnt know everything. It also helped my squadron win best of the best during the competition for that time frame. I think we went up against 10 squadrons. The military was the best thing to happen to me back then. Thats why I feel every male, straight out of high school should serve a 2 year term. I know you cant expect them to be the perfect soldier in 2 years, but this is what will happen...First it will stop the major attitude problem all these punk *** kids have these days, it will get them up off there lazy asses and teach them they need to fend for themselves and do something with there lives. It will also give them a sense of direction and a sense of pride in themselves and our country. I also think it will help create a bigger, stronger and better military in that, once there in for the 2 years, those who actually like it will be more apt to stay in and further there training and career in the military. Those who dont like it will simply get out and move on with there lives. A draft is going to be hard because as posted here , we will have a bunch of people who want nothing to do with it and have a lazy attitude towards it, and thats the last guy you want next to you while going into battle. I say use the draft as a LAST resort. Send our teenage males in for a short 2 year term and watch the military grow.
Just my .02

 

I think we all should talk military from now on. We all seem to agree much along the same lines…

NOW GET DOWN YOU CHITBAG AND GIVE ME 50 PUSHUPS!!!!!!!!

Ain’t nothing wrong with telling a recruit that. I remember my first day in boot camp. We got to the base and processed in and to bed by 2:00am. Come 4:00am they came in throwing trashcans and my first thoughts was “DAMN this is going to be fun” and then “CHIT what did I get myself into”.

I have to say that I think one of my fondest memories was boot camp and it is where I learned how to sleep standing up. The friendships made in the military are a brotherhood beyond any other type of brotherhood…