Do you think that an all volunteer force is sustainable in the future?

I think the all volunteer force is sustainable if we continue to maintain such a small military, in my opinion. What worries me about the young adults that are joining today is how many should not be in the military. The civilian world (main stream media and liberal institutions) has infected them too much and once they get in, they don't get their automatic trophies and promotions or get to do what they want and try to find the easy way out whether it be by saying they have harmful thoughts or life is too hard. This is still the minority of the overall numbers but that number is growing. And there are too many forums teaching these individuals how to work the system. We have an amazing amount of volunteers still but the military needs to be able to be more strict on who they allow in due to their problems and have more leeway to cull the fat quicker. This would save so much time and money and allow us to concentrate on all of our servicemembers that actually need help and not just the 1% taking up all of the time and resources who don't even want to be there in the first place. But I digress...

For a long time I've believed that compulsory service should be instituted. A very short term activation. Send them to basic. Once it's completed they can choose a job they're qualified for, not just automatic infantry orders. It would be hard from the outset, but I believe that within a decade of children growing up knowing that they would be going into service the waters would smooth.

Yes I do. I think we can sustain an all volunteer force for several reasons. 1.) There are a lot of young people out there that will serve because they want to learn a trade and don't want to go to college...they will probably get out after initial term. 2.) There are till a lot of people out there that want to serve out of patriotism...they may stay post initial term may not. 3.) There are those that want to go to college but can't afford it or get loans...they join because of the GI Bill and then leave after initial term to go to college. I think we can sustain the current levels because when we need to go to war we can't keep folks out of the recruiting offices. I believe people will step up and serve when our way of life is threatened...9-11 prime example...couldn't get folks in fast enough. When we need it our nation usually steps up and I think that will continue. I personally believe that everyone and I mean everyone to include physical handicapped (except mentally challenged) personnel should serve a minimum of two years. Those that are handicapped can sit at a desk or a clinic and push papers and open up more bodies to do the fighting etc...just my two pennies. But for the initial question, yes I can see us sustaining without a big divide because in history there has always been a divide.

Maj Marty Hogan
Lt Col Charlie Brown
1stSgt Glenn Brackin
Cpl Craig Morton
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
LTC Stephen C.
CPL Dave Hoover
PO3 Bob McCord
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
Sgt Wayne Wood
PVT James Strait
SGM Erik Marquez
MSgt David Hoffman
MSgt Stephen Council
SGT Elizabeth Scheck
PO1 H Gene Lawrence