The draft is not conceptually bad. In the case of a national emergency, like Ukraine has had, having the organization for a draft ready if needed is a positive.
Ukraine is a land invasion by an aggressive Russia, the US is one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. We already subjugated our two neighbors so a land invasion is out of the question. Attack by sea? Good luck, we’re surrounded by a moat made up of two oceans guarded by a fleet of ships more advanced and numerous than any other country’s. The draft is there for us to project our imperial power to the world. The only viable use of the draft then is for a civil war but that would be risky if they bring saboteurs into the army’s ranks.
My argument was in the abstract. Although one should never discount the possibility of the world changing, I’m inclined to agree that the US is unlikely to have a legitimate use for activating the draft with the world as it is now. But the draft, as a concept, is a tool that democratic governments are not wrong to hold onto in case of emergency.
Not sure I understand how forced service through a draft. Is any different than voluntary service when your country is being invaded?
The draft implies you don’t get a choice in the matter. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks the psychology behind people who Don’t want to be soldiers being pushed into being soldiers is going to be a healthy army
There are numerous reasons why one wouldn’t volunteer, but still willingly serve in a draft. Many people feel obligation towards their family, and volunteering would be abrogating that responsibility. The draft removes that issue of internal guilt. Furthermore, drafts can preserve needed skills at home - in WW2, volunteers were often turned away and told to wait for their draft card to turn up, because at that moment their profession was needed for the war industry.
I would highly recommend reading the accounts of soldiers who have been drafted in wars that weren’t wildly unpopular with the domestic population and/or 20 year occupations.
In WW2, the vast majority of our military forces were drafted, both US and UK.
I’m in favor of mandatory military service with almost no exceptions. My rationale is it would make conflict wildly unpopular if everyone had friends and family who would be directly affected.
I encourage everyone to join, but I don’t think it should be mandatory because it is most definitely not for everyone. I also support the draft and I believe that women should also be compelled to register.
Yeah it worked so well during the draft, it sure changed a lot of people’s minds… Wait did it?
Like, i w as being sarcastic but… Don’t think it really changed most people’s minds. It’s like abortion - everyone against abortion has their hypocritical - The only reasonable abortion is my abortion rule.
I’m sure there’s got to be actual studies that were done backed during the American draft and probably in like current day S Korea and such places that have mandatory military service
I’d argue that the Vietnam draft did have a huge impact on the public reaction to the war. I think one of the reasons it didn’t have immediate political results is because affluent people (the kids of politicians) had many ways to avoid service, ie college or well known health excuses. I think if those loopholes were not in place the wide public backlash we saw would have been followed quickly by real political results.
Obviously this is speculation, but there’s logic in there.
It’s correct, though. The US does not register women in the Selective Service. They’re certainly able to join the military, but they are not counted in what human assets are available in a potential emergency.
They already make us (is it makes only?) sign up for the draft
One of the first things that pushed me hard to the left.
Also having empathy.
The draft is not conceptually bad. In the case of a national emergency, like Ukraine has had, having the organization for a draft ready if needed is a positive.
Ukraine is a land invasion by an aggressive Russia, the US is one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. We already subjugated our two neighbors so a land invasion is out of the question. Attack by sea? Good luck, we’re surrounded by a moat made up of two oceans guarded by a fleet of ships more advanced and numerous than any other country’s. The draft is there for us to project our imperial power to the world. The only viable use of the draft then is for a civil war but that would be risky if they bring saboteurs into the army’s ranks.
Don’t forget our obligation to NATO. It’s possible the U.S. could be drawn into a large scale conflict requiring troops.
My argument was in the abstract. Although one should never discount the possibility of the world changing, I’m inclined to agree that the US is unlikely to have a legitimate use for activating the draft with the world as it is now. But the draft, as a concept, is a tool that democratic governments are not wrong to hold onto in case of emergency.
Not sure I understand how forced service through a draft. Is any different than voluntary service when your country is being invaded?
The draft implies you don’t get a choice in the matter. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks the psychology behind people who Don’t want to be soldiers being pushed into being soldiers is going to be a healthy army
There are numerous reasons why one wouldn’t volunteer, but still willingly serve in a draft. Many people feel obligation towards their family, and volunteering would be abrogating that responsibility. The draft removes that issue of internal guilt. Furthermore, drafts can preserve needed skills at home - in WW2, volunteers were often turned away and told to wait for their draft card to turn up, because at that moment their profession was needed for the war industry.
I would highly recommend reading the accounts of soldiers who have been drafted in wars that weren’t wildly unpopular with the domestic population and/or 20 year occupations.
In WW2, the vast majority of our military forces were drafted, both US and UK.
I’m in favor of mandatory military service with almost no exceptions. My rationale is it would make conflict wildly unpopular if everyone had friends and family who would be directly affected.
I encourage everyone to join, but I don’t think it should be mandatory because it is most definitely not for everyone. I also support the draft and I believe that women should also be compelled to register.
Yeah it worked so well during the draft, it sure changed a lot of people’s minds… Wait did it?
Like, i w as being sarcastic but… Don’t think it really changed most people’s minds. It’s like abortion - everyone against abortion has their hypocritical - The only reasonable abortion is my abortion rule.
I’m sure there’s got to be actual studies that were done backed during the American draft and probably in like current day S Korea and such places that have mandatory military service
I’d argue that the Vietnam draft did have a huge impact on the public reaction to the war. I think one of the reasons it didn’t have immediate political results is because affluent people (the kids of politicians) had many ways to avoid service, ie college or well known health excuses. I think if those loopholes were not in place the wide public backlash we saw would have been followed quickly by real political results.
Obviously this is speculation, but there’s logic in there.
Removed by mod
Holy shit it’s you again, the guy from the styrofoam melting post like two posts up, having another weird overreaction
May I interest you in “logging off”?
Click “source” to see [removed by mod].
Male is doing some pretty sexist work in this comment.
It’s correct, though. The US does not register women in the Selective Service. They’re certainly able to join the military, but they are not counted in what human assets are available in a potential emergency.
Correct, but the idea that the draft is a good thing because it counts the “able bodied fighting age men” is weird and sexist.