When I enlisted in the US Army in 1966, the nation still had a draft. Basically, all able-bodied men were subject to a 2-year military obligation. There was a student deferment for those enrolled in college, but when their education was done, they were subject to the draft. Since my service was during the Viet Nam era, it seemed to me even then that such deferments were unjustified when others were fighting and dying in Viet Nam. (I was stationed in Germany.)When I look at our former president, Bill Clinton, who avoided service through trickery, lies and deceit, I can feel only disgust.
Now that we are engaged in wars on two fronts, with the prospect of more engagements in this War on Terror (which I believe must be fought), the question must be asked- should be reinstitute the draft?
First, we should recognize that presently, our military leaders don't want a draft. They feel that the all-volunteer military has given us the best, most motivated military in our history. I won't argue that point. My admiration for our young men and women who are willing to serve our country, virtually knowing they will see combat, is unlimited. They are the best our society has to offer.
Yet, it must be considered that given the world situation today, our military is being stretched thin. I am coming to the conclusion that we need more people in the military. In my mind, the situation vis-a-vis Islamic terrorism worldwide can only grow and get worse. Indeed, it is entirely possible that we are now seeing the beginning stages of World War 3. If it comes to that, how can we tolerate involvement by only a small segment of our population when our very survival is at stake?
Some would argue that, with so much division in our country, requiring unwilling men to serve would only fill the military with malcontents and hamper the efforts of those who volunteered. Perhaps. Yet, I recall during Viet Nam, we had many quality draftees who served honorably. We also had a true cross-section of the male population. Maybe it was because in that era, young men knew they had to serve sooner or later. Since the draft was abolished, an entire generation has grown up not even having to consider military service. I think that is unfortunate.
It is also unfortunate that since the 1960s, we have seen the emergence of two generations of youth, many of whom don't feel they owe anything to their country. The first generation I speak of is my own generation, even through that generation fought in Viet Nam (while others stayed home, protested and burned American flags.) Now, we have the present generation, who take their liberties for granted, have no clue as to what it took to guarantee those liberties, and want to blame their country for all the ills of the world-even the sickness that pervades the Middle East. The notable exception to this generation consists of our military.
As long as a volunteer military can handle what needs to be done, I say we should keep it all-volunteer. But we are reaching the point where we will not be able to afford that luxury. Iran is looming on the horizon, and sooner or later, we will have to deal with that rogue nation. Out erstwhile European allies seem unwilling to stand with us, choosing instead to protect their socialist lifestyle and not confront the world the way it is-even as they experience radical Islam in their own nations. I am coming to the conclusion that we must dramatically increase the size of our military. We must also re-instill a sense of patriotism and duty in our young people. Whether they know it or not, they do owe this country something. What they owe is to help keep it free.
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