Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has his way.
Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars and to bolster U.S. troop levels insufficient to cover potential future action in Iran, North Korea and Iraq.
"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said.
It would be nothing but good for my younger siblings, because they're OUTTA CONTROL.
Yep, good idea. But unfortunately, I don't think that America has the right state of society to pull something like this. Nobody wants a stick held over their heads in this country. This could only be nothing but trouble.
It may be a "scare-tactic" or a wake up call for all these senators and representatives that if they keep sending us to wars that we may not need to fight, then we'll send YOUR kids too!
I oppose the war in Iraq, but I support the military and the men and women who serve in it
No, if you supported the troops you wouldn't place conscripts among our ranks. Drafted soldiers were effective when people still felt a sense of duty to their nation. The youth of today feels no such obligation as you might see with the current volunteer soldiers we have.
I've seen soldiers who refuse to come to drill, soldiers who go AWOL, and soldiers who refuse to deploy with their units (I just joined for the college money). How the hell can we get compulsary enlistees to perform when we have touble with those that requested the duty?
quote:
In rejecting the draft, the Pentagon has argued for years that volunteers wanted to fight and draftees were reluctant.
I don't know the Pentagon's position but: Just because volunteers are more willing, don'ts mean we want to fight.
quote:
They also argued that recruits needed more time for training in order to handle today's high tech systems--not less. This decision shatters the myth of the superiority of the volunteer military while exposing the hypocrisy of the Pentagon's arguments
How does longer training requirements preclude volunteer only service?
quote:
Everyone knows that we went into this war with an insufficient number of troops
Oh really? If we didn't have enough troops, how did we defeat Iraq's army? If the number of troops in Iraq is low, it is not because there is a shortage of troops. There are plenty of soldiers (like me) sitting around fat and happy in the states. Morale would suffer, but we can put the whole Army in theater if we want to.
quote:
we are faced with a situation in which the most disadvantaged young people from areas of high unemployment will be even more likely to carry the greatest share of the burden
Once again the holy Democrat will save the poor underprivelaged minorities from the evil Army who would steal them away like gipsies in the night.
He does not want a draft; almost nobody does. If you support the military operations in Iraq, you are willing to make sacrifices. If not, you will not make those sacrifices (whether drafted or not).
If you support the troops, you will not impose upon them the liability of conscripts. [/rant]
Hey, why are we the only ones getting a big gov'ment check! Spread the wealth!
"War is an act of force, and to the application of that force there is no limit. Each of the advisaries forces the hand of the other, and in a recipricol action results in which there can be no limit..." Carl von Clausewitz, on war, 1833
Posts: 292 | Location: Fort Riley, KS | Registered: 20 May 2004
I agree with Daddy Warcrimes. There are already dozens of threads discussing how undisciplined new soldiers are these days and how relaxed basic training is. If the soldiers were here against their will it would be so much worse. At least when they had the draft it was still the old army.
I don't really have a problem with the draft, I have a problem with the way we go to war.
I don't think anyone below the age of 21 should be drafted, they are not mature enough No one above the age of 40, they are not fast enough and have too much emotional baggage.
No one should be allowed to go to war without at least 18 months service under their belt. At least 6 months of this in their MOS training under simulated combat conditions
Women should not be exempted. Being in college should not be exempted PERIOD. This would take away the poor man's army.
Posts: 5 | Location: atlanta, ga | Registered: 26 October 2006
Originally posted by candvvaugh: I don't think anyone below the age of 21 should be drafted, they are not mature enough No one above the age of 40, they are not fast enough and have too much emotional baggage.
Wow, if this is what you think, you must be a bit immature yourself. What kind of "emotional baggage" would a over 40 person have?
College should be exempted, woman I don't really care whether they are here or there as long as they hold their own. Poor man's army or not I would rather be outside doing some bull duty then attend a class for the sake of adding nothing to my I.Q. or my philosophical concurrence to master all types of linguistic battles as well as those fought with the brutality of force, when needed of course. In retrospect of the idea behind a college education one would realize its importance and that’s why you can join as an officer, hooah?
Posts: 81 | Location: fort meade, md | Registered: 08 August 2006
Bring the draft back? How silly. The moment you force something on another human being against thier will, is the exact moment you begin tearing down what this country was built on and about. Sounds a little too familiar doesn't it, "Iraqi Freedom". It's an ugly thought isn't it.
Originally posted by candvvaugh: I don't think anyone below the age of 21 should be drafted, they are not mature enough No one above the age of 40, they are not fast enough and have too much emotional baggage.
Wow, if this is what you think, you must be a bit immature yourself. What kind of "emotional baggage" would a over 40 person have?
C'mon, they're just so... OLD.
I'm kidding. I think 40+ recruits are great for the Army. It brings a certain level of maturity to the table. Hopefully it'll even out the lack of maturity that's coming from some younger soldiers.
So apparently, the day you recieve your college diploma, your eyes are suddenly opened to the "real" reasopns we fight? whatever. I think people that have never been to college have more vivid imaginations than people that have been dulled through 20 years of college. Not that that isn't good... pick your preference.
I'm dead set against the draft. For one, this country was founded on freedom. Kinda goes against that to force people to join the military. Also, why would I want to be in a combat situation with someone who doesnt' want to be there and might not be 100% there to watch my back.
Besides that, the military isn't for everyone. Some people just aren't cut out for the lifestyle, know that and don't enlist. I joined because I wanted to. My brother did the same. My best friend didn't because she knows its not her thing. Why force people to?
ArmyStudyGuide Community 
