Any thoughts on an all-volunteer force and its effects versus other military service options?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:25:03 -0500

What would an all volunteer military look like?

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Dec 4 at 2013 11:46 AM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:46:24 -0500

Are we not currently an All Volunteer Service?

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 4 at 2013 12:00 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:00:14 -0500

Could you please clarify this question?

We've been an all-volunteer force for over 30 years.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Dec 4 at 2013 12:09 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:09:06 -0500

Is that not what we already have?

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Dec 4 at 2013 12:31 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:31:34 -0500

Well, duh... I reread the posting, and I realize the question is considering whether it is better to have everyone do a stint in the military, or depend on a volunteer group.

Speaking for myself, I don't think a manditory service stint would harm anyone, and it might help a great many learn a little disipline and teamwork, but that is not how this country operates.

Instead of serving the country, we have the 'knockout game' fathers with 20 odd children by the time they are 30, and mothers with 14 children demanding that we as a country, be responsible for her children, when she obviously isn't.

I wonder, if someone would have had the ability to get people like that into an environment where they had to learn self-reliance, respect, and responsibility, how could this country not be the better for it? Just saying....

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 7 at 2014 12:00 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 00:00:17 -0400

Isn't that what we have right now? I hadn't heard of a draft. Although I have heard some folks say that might be what some of these young folks need to give them some perspective and I wouldn't disagree.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 30 at 2015 11:11 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:11:02 -0400

I know everyone's first response will be "isn't that what we already are?".
My honest answer to that is no. People may enlist voluntarily, but that doesn't mean they continue to be in voluntarily past that date. There are plenty of personnel in uniform who have no desire to be, but can't leave becuase of their contracts.

The only way we can ever truly be an "all volunteer" military is to allow contracts to be nullified "at will".