I read an article this morning that quoted comedic actor Rob Schneider as saying the US should bring back the military draft. I have mixed thoughts.
My first thought is that Rob Schneider has no place making this statement because he has not served in the military. I don't have much respect for people who expect others to do something they would not do themselves. Now with that said...
Forcing everyone to serve would be expensive. Do we really want that additional tax burden?
The quality of our military would decline, because the overwhelming majority of people would have no desire to be there.
On the other hand, it would get our youth into better physical and mental shape.
I also suspect that our leaders would be less likely to use military force if their own kids' lives were on the line. But then again, we know these same leaders would find a way to get their own kids out of the draft... or at least get them into non-combat roles.
What are your thoughts on bringing back the draft?
2 comments:
Like you, Mixed feelings.
For the EXACT same reasons. I have the utmost respect for our military personnel because they signed up of their own volition, to be forced to would definitely be detrimental to the quality of our forces. And as you said- the few of the privileged would be assigned the non-combat positions. The safety nets.
My own baby boy-Clayton- was giving serious consideration to joining the Marines just a month before his MVA that took him from us. I, of course was terrified of it -that was the time period that a good many of the military recruits were dying from over exertion during training in boot camp- but I didnt say it out loud- I told him that it was a big decision and I'd be proud of him if he, as an adult, became a Marine- and I would be just as proud of him if he decided to continue on in his life as a civilian. He was a good man and it was his decision. He still hadn't made a decision when it was decided for him.
And also you are right- the cost for mandatory service would be astronomical!!
Plus- there would be the age thing to consider- would it be mandatory for everyone at 13, 18, 21- and would old timers be required or would they be grandfathered out- or what? What would the break-off point be?
So many things to consider!!!
You are correct about one thing for sure- it would get the youngsters off the sofa away from the 24/7/365 screentime and doing out in the fresh air doing something active for a change.
And teach them about discipline, respect and authority. Now THAT would be an absolute PLUS!!!!
My grandfather was drafted for ww2, my father drafted for Vietnam. There are some family pictures from generations before in their army uniforms from the civil war - but I do not know if they were drafted. One of my sons joined the army reserves to help pay for college. He is not active duty anymore, but is in that 2 year period where they can call him up at any time (this ends in October). With everything going on I am anxious. I do think he would fair far better going to war than my father and grandfather did. First, he made the choice when he was young and single and has continued to make choices based on his enlistment status and conversations about when and if his unit would deploy. He married just this year. My father was a new husband and father, as was my grandfather. They both came back very different men - and not better from it. I know some of this also is related to how veterans used to be supported when they returned from combat but I do think having agency is very important. Choosing what is best for you - I am not saying you shouldn’t push yourself, but being pushed by others to do things you don’t believe in comes with a cost. I do wonder if there are other ways to entice people to serve, but for these current conflicts - I am just…I don’t have words. I have a nephew who is enlisted - he is hoping to be deployed to serve in the Israel/us -Iran war. But we see things very differently- his desire to go concerns me as well.
Post a Comment