I have been a supporter of reinstating the draft for some time in a form that is mentioned in this article. One that would include options for service.

These two gentlemen make sound argument for the draft.

So, what do you all think of reinstating the draft and of the arguments made in this article?

Bring Back the Draft
By William L. Hauser , Jerome Slater


Posted February 2009
Why a return to mass conscription is the only way to win the war on terror.

In the ongoing struggle between radical Islamism and Western democracy, military intervention by the United States may again be judged necessary as a last resort against particularly dangerous states or organizations. Although presidential candidate Barack Obama made drawing down U.S. forces in Iraq the centerpiece of his national security agenda, so as to focus on the “real fight” in Afghanistan, President Obama will find that even with a complete withdrawal from Iraq, the United States’ current all-volunteer forces will be inadequate for accomplishing its worldwide national security goals. Regarding Afghanistan in particular, even the planned reinforcement of 20,000 to 30,000 troops will not begin to match the 1 to 10 troop-to-population ratio generally acknowledged to be necessary for success in counterinsurgency.

Moreover, as a result of the repetitive stresses of Afghanistan and Iraq, the human-resources quality of the U.S. military appears to be declining: recruitment and retention rates (by pre-Iraq standards) are slipping, forcing the armed services to lower their physical, educational, and psychological standards; to soften the rigors of initial training; and even to expand the moral waivers granted to some volunteers with criminal records. Generous inducements have also been needed to retain junior officers beyond the length-of-service payback requirements of their academy or ROTC educations. The economic downturn might help temporarily, but the problem cannot be resolved by continuing the present system. There will have to be a reinstitution, albeit in a significantly modified version, of universal military service -- a “draft.”

Our proposal is to combine a revived military draft with a broader public-service program as already practiced in some European states -- a “domestic Peace Corps.” Indeed, a crucial component of our proposal is that draftees be allowed to choose between military and nonmilitary service. A program structured along those lines would simultaneously increase the political appeal of conscription, defuse the opposition of those who disapprove of the use of military force, and serve such valuable national purposes as public health, public works, and the alleviation of shortages of teachers and social workers in disadvantaged regions of the country.

To be sure, an enlarged military can give rise to its own dangers, particularly an expansion of what some already consider excessive presidential power. It will be essential, therefore, that the creation of larger forces by means of conscription be accompanied by legal safeguards to prevent presidential unilateralism. First, Congress should use its constitutionally mandated role in decisions to go to war. Second, Congress should employ its appropriations powers -- “the power of the purse” -- to prohibit, limit, or end U.S. participation in unwise wars or military interventions by refusing to fund them. Third, to reduce political opposition to a revived draft as well as to provide another constraint against presidential unilateralism, a law establishing conscription should include a provision that draftees cannot be sent into combat without specific congressional authorization.
Click Here!

Of course, reinstating the draft will generate opposition from all parts of the political spectrum, on the left by civil libertarians and opponents of any use of force, in the center by classic libertarians and those who would regard conscription as an unfair “tax on youth,” and even by some on the political right, who (as noted earlier) would correctly perceive that the modified draft proposed here would inherently constrain presidential unilateralism. The professional military, traditionally conservative, might initially resist such fundamental change, though we are confident the professional military will come to value its significant advantages.

The benefits of universal national service, however, far outweigh these resolvable objections. Aside from the strictly military advantages -- larger and better-educated armed forces -- there would be a number of positive social consequences. Conscription will enable the forces to reflect the full spectrum of American pluralism, in terms of both socioeconomic classes and racial/ethnic groups. It is unacceptable that less than 1 percent of the country’s eligible population serves in the armed forces, with almost no war-relevant sacrifice being asked from the rest of society. It ought to be axiomatic that the hardships and dangers of military service be more widely shared.

A draft could also increase responsibility on the part of political decision-makers. There would surely be a greater likelihood of sound foreign and military policies if the sons and daughters of the United States’ political and business elites also served in uniform -- as so many did in the past, but so few do today.

These arguments would constitute a strong case for reinstating the draft at any time. But at the moment, the United States simply has no other option. The U.S. mission in Afghanistan, crucial in the global fight against Islamist terrorism, simply cannot be accomplished with current force levels. Looking beyond Afghanistan toward the long-term struggle with radical Islamism, the United States is going to need larger standing forces of considerable quality, with the educational, cultural, linguistic, and technical skills needed for modern military operations in foreign lands.

In the event of new terrorist attacks on U.S. soil on the scale of 9/11, let alone the unimaginable consequences if American cities were struck by nuclear or biological weapons, the arguments against conscription would vanish overnight, and there would be a crash program to build up the armed forces, similar to the aftermath of attack on Pearl Harbor. The country would be in a far stronger position if it put these forces in place now, rather than waiting until a catastrophe occurred. Moreover, if the United States had such larger standing forces, they would provide a credible deterrent against states that currently support, tolerate, or ineffectively suppress terrorist groups. Indeed, the reinstatement of the draft is not an invitation for more war; it may be the best chance for peace.

William L. Hauser, a retired U.S. Army colonel, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a fellow of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society.
Jerome Slater, a U.S. Navy veteran, is a university research scholar and retired professor of political science at the State University of New York, Buffalo.

I think every one should go in to the services right after high school . I enlisted at the tender age of 21 .Best thing I could of ever done . That was during V.N.to

A draft is ridiculous.

Stop fighting other peoples wars. Close the bases in Korea, Europe, and anywhere else that serve someones security purposes. Its time for other countries to start footing the bill for their security. This is nonsense.

If we closed all overseas bases and brought our men and women back home, we could handle all the issues raised in the article. We could re open bases that were closed in the 90s and support OUR local communities.

i guess i have the weird out look on this

yes they should downscale military bases worldwide

and cut foreign aid as well

and yes mandatory service should be required

military service not necessarily

dept of interior service

health and human services

dept of defense

every branch of the govt should reduce salary based on going employees and be replaced with mandatory service people

but hey what do i know

This may come handy. I mean in times after we have overspent ourself into the situation we have now, what better than to have a law, requiring everyone to slave for the state (for their own very best interest, of course).

We used to brag, that in our country, we serve voluntarily, just out of incredible drive for freedom, and delivering it to everyone, everywhere, whether they want it or not. Land of the brave, home of the free...

But then there are times, when we aren't brave or free anymore. This is when we should help every young one out there to become something. A soldier. Who are they to know what is good for them? And besides, we need them to do what's right for us. We are, all, of course, past that age, so we won't be required. The land of the ... and the home of the ...?

I'm totally against the draft.

freedom is not free and until 1975 there was compulsory service into the military if you do not want o go to military you may serve in another area

why should someone else pay for your freedom

this could also lower taxes and would also train people in the field they may want to go into -- kind of a paid apprenticeship

and really working in a job you do not like is a paid slavery whether it is for the business down the road or if it is for the govt office down the road

Didn't realize there were so many supporters of government slavery.

not slavery if paid a wage any more than you going to a job you dont like

It's slavery when it becomes compulsory, wage or not.

And I don't want their worthless, devalued, inflated greenbacks. So unless they're paying me in gold bars, they're going to have to kill me first.

If someone chooses to fight,great but not all are willing or able and Government jobs blow.Just another way to f@#$k the poor.

I'm all for compulsory service whether it be in the military or civil service capacity. Civil service could mean workin in city, county, state or federal positions. U get paid while ur workin a fair wage and when service time is done, given free college education. I say one year of college for every year of service. There is a similiar system in Germany. It seems to work for them. Let the person decide whether they do military or civil service. Let them choose the field they go into that interests them. Too many young people want to b*tch and moan about the way things are run. Get out there and do something to make it better.

as i said

any govt job being performed by low level person could be available for those not wanting military service

freedom comes with a cost if it a couple years service then it is what it is

why should you get benefit others pay for that is freedom welfare

so if you feel you need not pay for your freedom then you should not complain about anyone receiving govt assistance

It's fun to enslave others. But, please note how it is "a price for freedom", meaning you're supposed to be enslaved before you're set free by being a governmental satrap. Or... am I mixing the before and after pictures?

The draft brings with it a whole other set of issues. The rich's children will never serve, the poor's children will never be given any choice. Again the poor in this country will pay the ultimate price for the decisions of the well to do in this country.

I don't believe the draft is needed. As long as the military carries through with the promises they make to the interested, we will have a working military.

that is why it should not be a draft

everyone does something somewhere in the govt

everyone

It would not be fair still, the rich would not do it. They will not sacrifice their children to possibly being killed in battle.

read the rest of my posts here

no one that does not want military service needs to go in military

I'm not sure I see any reality here.

Why are we at war?

Why do we need a world net security force?

What is the deal with protecting our borders, are we so afraid our 'pure' culture will be defiled if other cultures are introduced?

Also, if you really think you get such a great education from being service to this country you need to talk to those 'in service'. When does a soldier have time to go to school? When do the guys on ship and in submarines have time for classes? Do you REALLY believe that when they get out they get a 'free ride' through college? NO, they don't. Why are half the homeless veterans?

A job you hate? How many civilians attempt suicide, simply because they hate a job? Now look up the suicide statistics for severice people these day?

Slave labor - you bet it is. If you think for one moment those 'in service' have freedom - look that one up too. Once inducted they are no longer 'civilians' and no longer under the protection of the Constitution, federal or state.

You don't want people coming into your country seeking a better way of life, but if they institute a draft here, there are plenty of places an American can go before becoming a slave.

We are no longer a 'free thinking, liberty invested' country. If we continue to 'enlist' while our economy is failing, soon we will be a police state.

I've read various ideas and opinions about utilizing military as first responce units for distasters, riot control and yes shoring up those borders. Imagin everywhere you go seeing 'armed' forces walking 'the beat', looking over your shoulder for the cameras on the poles, limited internet access (for security reasons, of course). And suddenly realizing the majority of the employed are the underpaid, undereducated, militia that 'walk the beat' as people stand in line for their 'ration stamps'.

NO DRAFT - In fact, before ANYONE considers enlisting, I would PLEAD with them to GET THE FACTS. NO you will not have choices once you sign the papers, No, you do not get to pick what you learn, or where you go or even how long you will be there. There is no glory to be had there, and the greatest honor you will find on your return may be a $300 dollar burial benefit, paid to your survivors.

You don't need to 'enlist' to serve your country. If war is brought to our shores, we will fight to protect it as anyone would to protect their home and loved ones. But at this moment I see no purpose for the draft and reason for ANYONE to enlist.

I say, best reinstate it now instead of waiting for an emergency. It takes, I believe, 3 to 4 months to, ready for battle train an Infantryman.