….Would institution of a military draft change either your short- or long-term goals in life?

A couple of us grizzled old “in our fifties” types had to explain the concept of “draft bait” one of our newer associates this afternoon. I took special pains to point out the case of my own father, who had his draft notice waiting in his mailbox when he returned from his honeymoon in 1953 (read, Korea).

If a draft were instituted – should it be for both genders – and should college exemptions be allowed?

I fully realize that a draft is not currently feasible or even a practical need - but with both political parties slinging our troops hither and yon to settle age old local conflicts over the last several years (Somalia, Afganistand, Iraq, the former Yugoslavia – my AFR brother-in-law has been to three of the four in the past 15 years, plus Columbia), it’s not inconceivable.

Although I'll turn 25 this year, I'm definitely not for a draft. It is not needed at all in this country unless the actually mainland would be invaded. I do think that both men and women should have to register, though. Equal opportunities should mean equal risks. It's bull crap that men have to register to get federal aid, but women don't have to go through that. I thought this was supposed to be the enlightened 21st century.

Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

Fab1b wrote: Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

That's a good idea in theory, but I'm not for that either. It's not up to the government to decide what anyone in this country does. Mandatory service of any kind for the government is way to Nazi for me. I'm sure the military could do a lot of good for those right out of high school, but if some kid wants to be a slacker and not do anything, the government should not have any say in that.

tk421 wrote:

Fab1b wrote: Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

That's a good idea in theory, but I'm not for that either. It's not up to the government to decide what anyone in this country does. Mandatory service of any kind for the government is way to Nazi for me. I'm sure the military could do a lot of good for those right out of high school, but if some kid wants to be a slacker and not do anything, the government should not have any say in that.

I said it was fine the way it is, I have no problems, just something I have thought about from time to time that is all.

Fab1b wrote: Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

Just because it was good for you doesn't mean it will be for everyone.

The draft is a totalitarian measure and completely against everything this country is supposed to represent. It is a statist policy that seeks to control the life of the individual.

Everyone has their place in life. Some go to the military and some don't. Who knows what we could lose should we dictate the lives of others.

Fab1b wrote:

tk421 wrote:

Fab1b wrote: Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

That's a good idea in theory, but I'm not for that either. It's not up to the government to decide what anyone in this country does. Mandatory service of any kind for the government is way to Nazi for me. I'm sure the military could do a lot of good for those right out of high school, but if some kid wants to be a slacker and not do anything, the government should not have any say in that.

I said it was fine the way it is, I have no problems, just something I have thought about from time to time that is all.

I know.

Hello Eersandbeers I said it was my thoughts and it is fine the way it is.

I have said for a while that military should be manditory for your first two years out of school. I don't konw many people who know exactly what they want to do straight out of high school, it would give the military higher numbers, and it would help with the obesity problem. I do agree that there is something to be said for an all volunteer force but I think everyone should do their part.

As far as a draft, I don't see a problem with it. It would change your life but you should be willing to make the sacrifice for the freedoms you enjoy. I am over 25 now but I would join on my own if they ever got close to instituting a draft.

Yeah, if we had everyone enter the military out of high school, the military would be 20 + million people strong. How the hell are we supposed to pay for that when our military budget is over 1 Trillion dollars right now? I always hear how mandatory service will benefit the younger people, but no one ever explains how the country would pay for it? Are we supposed to give up two years and pay 70% in taxes? Give me a break.

Fab1b wrote: Hello Eersandbeers I said it was my thoughts and it is fine the way it is.

I was just responding to this statement: "I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School."

June18 wrote: I have said for a while that military should be manditory for your first two years out of school. I don't konw many people who know exactly what they want to do straight out of high school, it would give the military higher numbers, and it would help with the obesity problem. I do agree that there is something to be said for an all volunteer force but I think everyone should do their part.

As far as a draft, I don't see a problem with it. It would change your life but you should be willing to make the sacrifice for the freedoms you enjoy. I am over 25 now but I would join on my own if they ever got close to instituting a draft.

The military doesn't need more people. They just need to bring people in from our foreign empire and use them as they are intended to be used.

And saying people should go into the military to help obesity is somewhat out there.

I would also like to say, just because someone isn't in the military doesn't mean they aren't playing a role in society. Just because I'm in the military doesn't mean my role in society is more important than someone who is not.

tk421 wrote: Yeah, if we had everyone enter the military out of high school, the military would be 20 + million people strong. How the hell are we supposed to pay for that when our military budget is over 1 Trillion dollars right now? I always hear how mandatory service will benefit the younger people, but no one ever explains how the country would pay for it? Are we supposed to give up two years and pay 70% in taxes? Give me a break.

That's a good point. The military has spent 50k on each person by the time they leave basic.

So equipment, technology, and other areas would need major cuts to handle the people.

Fab1b wrote: Not under 25 but would like to chime in on this. I am 33, former US Navy. I personally believe everyone should go into a branch of the service for 2 yrs at 18 or right after High School. I say that because of the good it did for me. Now we are a free country, with a volunteer force and all is good the way it is, I just think it would change people's outlook on life.

As a veteran I couldn't agree more. Good Post.

Why is it that it's always older veterans who think young adults right out of high school should be forced to serve? You never hear any teenagers saying how they wish the government would take their right to choose away from them.

Barring the second coming of Hitler I'd probably support the downfall of this country if they reinstated the draft.

tk421 wrote: Why is it that it's always older veterans who think young adults right out of high school should be forced to serve? You never hear any teenagers saying how they wish the government would take their right to choose away from them.

Because the majority of them were forced into service and think everyone else should be too

Mark my words....there will NEVER be a draft again

IN reference to the original question:

It would have to be for borth genders and the cut off should be 22

gibby08 wrote:
Mark my words....there will NEVER be a draft again

I would never say never.

Why do we need the government changing people's outlook on life??? I could see fighting for a noble cause, but occupying oil countries and dying so people can drive Cadillacs and Hummers isn't worth anyone's life.

I don't want to die and I don't want to kill anyone...If you do that's your business, but it shouldn't be forced upon someone.

As a former USAF member, I do not believe in a draft. It is against every principle this country was founded upon. A volunteer military is going to be more efficient. Forcing people to participate in the military will not be good in terms of morale.

I agree with the sentiment that there is no problem with our military as is, they just don't need to be spread so thin. Bring most of the troops home and do what was originally intended; defend the homeland.

June18 wrote: I have said for a while that military should be manditory for your first two years out of school. I don't konw many people who know exactly what they want to do straight out of high school

I didn't know what I wanted to do straight out of high school, but I knew many of the things I DIDN'T want to do, and joining the military was about tops on that list.

I'm not real big on fixed schedules, early mornings, complete subservience, strenuous physical activity, or the potential of dying halfway around the world for a cause I don't believe in at all, so something that combined all of those activities really didn't add up for me.

I'm not knocking the military at all, because I know that it does make sense for some people, and I have a lot of respect for those who do serve, but it definitely was/is not the right path for my life, and if a draft was reinstated I would probably riot.

Now, if there was an actual invasion of U.S. soil that would be a completely different scenario.

To answer the original question, I would be pissed off, but I wouldn't change any of my goals (although I really don't have any at the present time), because it would be something that was completely out of my hands.

Mulva wrote: I'm not real big on fixed schedules, early mornings, complete subservience, strenuous physical activity, or the potential of dying halfway around the world for a cause I don't believe in at all, so something that combined all of those activities really didn't add up for me.

I have all the respect in the world for the people who protect our freedom, but this is exactly why I didn't sign up after high school.

I think a draft is a perfect idea and every able body individual should serve their country in some military manner. Don’t give that shit about I go the work and that support your country … get your fat lazy ass out there and meet the real world. Where guys from all over this great country can kick your ass in a heartbeat and you have to earn respect and define yourself as a dependable, trustworthy individual for the team and for America. Sorry I thought I was addressing a group of FNG.

Drafted, combat, wounded, disabled and scared ……… I would not change a thing
Proud, confident, educated, determined and achiever …….. Veteran
………………………….can you say that? ………………………..

All you guys are always railing on Obama and big government, the government controlling your lives, etc., yet you're advocating compulsory military service.

All those who have served in the military have my respect and gratitude, but that in no way makes you a "better person" than those who have not. Plenty of those who haven't been in the military have worked their asses off, been in the real world, struggled and triumphed, learned to play as a team, become great, responsible people, etc., etc.

And, again, i love all the "small government" and "stay out of my life" folks advocating that all should serve in the military.

Belly35 wrote: I think a draft is a perfect idea and every able body individual should serve their country in some military manner. Don’t give that shit about I go the work and that support your country … get your fat lazy ass out there and meet the real world. Where guys from all over this great country can kick your ass in a heartbeat and you have to earn respect and define yourself as a dependable, trustworthy individual for the team and for America. Sorry I thought I was addressing a group of FNG.

Someone isn't lazy because they aren't in the military. In fact, I'd say there are a good number of people contributing to society who aren't in the military.

Belly35 wrote: Drafted, combat, wounded, disabled and scared ……… I would not change a thing
Proud, confident, educated, determined and achiever …….. Veteran
………………………….can you say that? ………………………..

That's good you wouldn't change a thing, but that may not be what someone else wants to do with their life.

cbus4life wrote:
And, again, i love all the "small government" and "stay out of my life" folks advocating that all should serve in the military.

Agreed. The contradiction is funny.

Belly....so what you're saying is that if you don't serve in the military...you're a worthless person?