Will the draft return in your lifetime?

2015-07-04T07:14:18-04:00

It's been 1973 since we became an all-volunteer force. Yet young men - and still no women (even with recent pushes to integrate women into all areas of the force) still must register for a potential draft. In your lifetime, do you envision the draft returning? And is it time to require women to register as well now? Or should we keep registration as it is?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 7:17 AM

2015-07-04T07:17:55-04:00

No, it would be a horrible idea. We are a professional Army. Plus it would be impossible to increase our numbers to do this. The Army would be far to large and cumbersome to effectively wage war. There are just to many issues that we should see if this were to be the case. It is a pipe dream of the the relics of the past and the veterans that have turned into social engineers.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 7:53 AM

2015-07-04T07:53:33-04:00

Probably not in my lifetime. Not that much left.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-07-04T08:44:39-04:00

I think it's extremely unlikely. For one, there are extremely few militaries in the world larger than ours, and for another, our military is already demonstrably capable of sustaining major combat operations on multiple fronts simultaneously. I'm not sure I'm as optimistic as 2ndLt Matthew Johnson about small wars being the way of the future (I think we're increasingly likely to see more force-on-force fights as the United States' relative power--and/or perception of same--continue to decline), but the military we have was designed to fight on multiple fronts against militaries that can mass greater numbers. That's why we invest so much money in superior technology, training, and mission command structures: to increase the effectiveness of our small formations against larger formations. So, I see little need for a draft.

I also see very little political will for one. The draft was one of the most hated political institutions of the last century, and it would take some massive external catalyst to galvanize anything like the support needed to reinstate it. Half of the politicians in power now remember the draft (either experienced it, dodged it, protested against it, etc.), and virtually everyone too young remember it directly recalls it primarily as part of the disaster that was Vietnam, therefore wants nothing to do with it.

Then we get into questions about whether or not we SHOULD reinstate the draft even if there were both cause and support. CPT Private RallyPoint Member and many others would strongly resist the idea, as the professional nature of our military has become something of an institution, one which has achieved pretty extraordinary results and of which people are justifiably proud. Massively inflating the size of the military lets you do a few things, but it takes time. People forget that when the U.S. joined WWI and WWII, it was literally years before the military (the Army in particular) was ready to fight. The equipment and training just wasn't there, and wouldn't be now either. Such a pipeline would also likely result in lower standards, which you might offset with number, or not. Difficult to say. However, as most of the threats we seem likely to face are going to require rapid responses, a more expeditionary military with the necessary training and equipment to project a disproportionate amount of power quickly is probably more useful than a massive, slow force.

On the other side, I actually toy with bringing the draft back, but for political reasons rather than military ones. If we actually declared war, raised a war tax, and drafted people every time we wanted to use the military instrument of power, I think we would deliberate much more carefully about doing so. Having a professional, volunteer military that is revered by the public and capable of responding to just about any situation (at least doing something, if not the right thing) makes it easy for those in power to see the military as a panacea for all of their foreign policy problems. Sort of a, "Every problem looks like a nail when you have a several hundred billion dollar hammer lying around."

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 4 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-07-04T08:49:08-04:00

I hope not. When I enlisted in 1981, the Marine Corps and the military in general was still reeling from years of draftees and morale issues. Placing people that do not want to be there does not yield a great result. I can see the need during a period of national emergency but not as a general approach to filling the ranks. We need to make the military a place where young men want to go and serve (women too but the majority of the force is men). When we make it softer or not look as demanding some turn away.

As far as women not registering, I have no issue with it. Women want the option to serve in combat MOS's they do not want to be forced/drafted. That is a choice men have never had. Part of the inequality we face with this issue.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jul 4 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-07-04T08:52:55-04:00

No...too many would be offended.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Jul 4 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-07-04T09:11:01-04:00

Here are my views on this, I think its worth looking at by someone, its been in my head for over 10 years and has been tweaked a bit over time.

First No draft.

A 3 year mandatory service at the federal/state level. This would serve not as a military build up but a national service. Federal service needs would be prioritized. Military would be at the top but not the main draw of personnel from the pool of candidates. Every fed agency would have a percentage built into its work force to allow candidate enrollment. Any overflow would then trickle back to the home state of the candidate.

Enrollment can be postponed for secondary education, but upon completion of graduate school, candidate must report for their 3 years mandatory service. So if you want to go to school by all means go, but know that when you're done you do your part.

This would provide a workforce to correct our failing infrastructure, keep our armed forces manned and ready. States work maintain a reserve/guard force for natural disasters and would put their candidates into a state work force as well. Those candidates that choose to enter military service can still do so without forcing a draft. So the armed forces would get volunteers. Those remaining candidates could work on roads, conversation projects, agriculture, urban development, forestry service, etc. The only part I have not thought about would be law enforcement (border patrol, customs would apply for this) I don't see this working for the FBI or similar agencies. But most federal agencies would benefit from this.

I know this needs fine tuning in a lot of areas, but in my opinion it would work vs a draft. You will still get those that don't want to serve the military, the current 1% volunteer force gets those that want to serve, those than feel the need to serve. Why pollute the force with those that don't want to serve in the military.

Would appreciate you thoughts and responses to this.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 4 at 2015 9:29 AM

2015-07-04T09:29:29-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I believe it is a necessary tool (registration) that should continue and I believe women should be included into that process as well. We need to keep the all-volunteer force alive and well. It has been an important step in getting really quality individuals, even if they are coming in only for the educational benefits. If the time ever comes that we will need the draft again, then we know the "crap" has hit the fan for sure.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 4 at 2015 10:35 AM

2015-07-04T10:35:08-04:00

I wish. Actually I wish everyone in this country would spend 18 months - 2 years doing mandatory service. Whether that be the military, teaching English in Mississippi, working at a retirement home in California or building trails in Colorado. If every American invested some time into our country, no exceptions, we would be a much stronger nation. People would learn to work from locations in the country they have never had to deal with, understand that there are different points of view (yes, I'm talking to all of you who keep posting about this group or the other not loving the US) and make everyone personally invest in the country which they don't do now.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-07-04T10:50:06-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver, I don't think so. Technology has advanced to the point where a lot of wars can be fought from great distances (think smart bombs and drones) and over computer networks (cyber warfare). The only possible cause for a draft I can see is if the terrorists get really froggy and we decide to take them out in an all-out assault. But I also think we'd recall the reserves and federalize the National Guard before instituting the draft.

I also think that women should be required to register for Selective Service. They want equality, register the same way we have to. Hell, we can't get a lot of federal student loans if we don't register for Selective Service!

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 4 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-07-04T12:00:14-04:00

There are two ways I can see the draft returning:

1) If the US entered into a massive land war again, on the scale of WWI or WII. Most of the Soldiers of the "Greatest Generation" were draftees. If the nation truly mobilized for war, then I believe its citizens would once again answer the call. However, there would probably be destruction at unprecedented levels.
2) A political move due to unforeseen shifts in government authority or societal focus.

From the current vantage point, both of the above seem very unlikely, but people throughout history like to always think that the previous "great war" is the last great war. We can only hope.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jul 4 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-07-04T12:15:59-04:00

My personal opinion is that everyone should serve in the military. I do not believe that the average civilian understand what we do or what it means to put service to country above themselves. I absolutely believe that all women should have to register.

Do I think the draft will be re-instated? Not anytime soon, especially as we continue to cut costs and manning.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 4 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-07-04T13:07:26-04:00

The reason to use a Draft is if you need LARGE quantities of troops quickly.

That said, based on current technology, and the All Volunteer Force structure, what possible event could occur that would require more troops than on our current roster, or than we can expand into using existing reserves, stop-loss and other methods?

Although Ground Combat is essential, especially for conventional warfare, we have moved away from it as our primary means of warfare. We are far more likely to bleed a country dry economically, then bomb them from the sky into submission, then use ground troops to "plant the flag" and fight off insurgents. "Taking land" is a concept for highly populated areas like Europe, which is Regionally Stable.

Any event that would actually require a Draft, would have to be so catastrophic that we are "looking" (not actually using) at WMD usage. The idea of losing 1M people through combat makes a country revisit the idea of just dropping a nuke, and being done with it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-07-04T14:11:06-04:00

I don't think the draft will come back. The all volunteer force has been a huge success, so much so that for the second time since we have to cut numbers. As far as women and the draft, it's just another in a long line of double standards.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Sep 6 at 2016 10:51 PM

2016-09-06T22:51:19-04:00

Ah the Draft.........always a timeless popular method of enlistment.