A local radio host brought up the topic that we don't even need the Selective Service. What do you say?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 20:23:51 -0500

This was posed in response to the question of women being in the Selective Service due to combat jobs being opened up. His belief is that there would be a line at every recruiter if something happened. A Harvard Institute of Politics poll recently showed that only 16% of 18-19 yr olds would be willing/likely to join if something were to happen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2016 8:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 20:56:00 -0500

I agree that we don't need it. there has not been a draft in 40 years and if we needed a draft there are other ways to get that info. We could save the money to run the program for now.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 18 at 2016 9:28 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 21:28:06 -0500

actually in todays world The "Draft" is not useful... it would only make the attitudes of the already disenfranchised worse...

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Dec 19 at 2016 1:11 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 01:11:35 -0500

IMO selective service should be part of citizenship and should be administered through social security numbers.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 2:30 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 02:30:56 -0500

You don't need it until you need it.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Dec 19 at 2016 8:24 AM

1SG Al Brown — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 08:24:19 -0500

Hmmnn. WWI was long over, with a second generation of post war children being born. Japan was being aggressive, so we set-up an oil embargo. They attacked. We drafted men for war. The Japanese and Germans had millions in uniform and they would have rolled over us without the draft. By 1943, I'll bet the number of volunteers versus draftees in WWII wasn't much above 16%. Reality has a way of tempering emotion.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 19 at 2016 9:40 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 09:40:57 -0500

I believe we do need Selective Service in the eventuality of us ever going to WW3. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of our All Volunteer Fighting Force. But I'm not going to expect a sudden influx of patriotism the next time our Country is threatened and we need to swell up our numbers. It's good that we've never had to reinstate the draft, but I wouldn't completely do away with it.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 19 at 2016 10:55 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:55:53 -0500

Selective Service facilitates a draft should one be needed. Without it or something to replace it's function, the process of drafting people in a national emergency would be more difficult. Not impossible, but more difficult and time consuming.

Would I expect to see people lined up at the America's recruiting offices should a major foreign power strike us in a modern parallel to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor? Not in nearly enough numbers to matter. Too much "can't someone else do it"; too much "if I can't fight from behind a keyboard, why should I"; too much "I'm too special"; too much "I don't want to"; too much "that sounds like WORK...dangerous work"; too much "Ask not what I can do for my country. Ask what my country can do for ME".

Hopefully we will never need another draft again, but better to have the mechanisms in place and not need them, then to need them and not have them.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 19 at 2016 11:11 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:11:02 -0500

His comments are short sighted and uninformed. The Selective Service is only useful if we are unable to actually know where the next conflict we will be in is, who we will fight and the complete nature of the engagement...like we were spot on about fighting the Soviet Union's tank armies in the Fulda Gap in West Germany.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Dec 19 at 2016 11:26 AM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:26:54 -0500

Selective Service may never be needed but it's a good idea to have the infrastructure in place should it be required. The Harvard Study that's quoted drives home the point that in our society where public service is not considered an honor by many it's best to have this should it ever be required.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 19 at 2016 8:14 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:14:44 -0500

I still believe they should have a selective service board But our soon to be new President is
talking about bring back the Draft.
Which I think that Everyone should serve their country for at least a minimum 2 yrs.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY VET

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 8:22 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:22:30 -0500

Maybe not. Just take all the radio hosts first if the need develops.

Bet he/she would change their tune of this was adopted.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Dec 20 at 2016 11:56 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:56:13 -0500

Of the 16% willing, probably less than half of them are qualified under current enlistment standards.