SwiftVets.com

[USATCI]

I wasn't drafted but enlisted. Now I look at troop levels and wonder if it's time to seriously consider whether bringing back the draft is something that we need to do.

[republicanveteran]

Please, No. We don't want the misfits we had to put up with before the all-volunteer force

[USATCI]

Hold on sir, I can understand economic reasons for not bringing back the draft but some of the best friends I had in the military were draftees. When I was stationed at Ft. Dix we lived in the old WWII barracks which means there were about 28 guys to a floor. We got to know each other very well. Some were jerks others became friends. Some of us weren't very bright, others were. But, to umbrella every draftee as a "misfit" is pretty unfair. I wonder how many names of AR's and how many RA's are listed on The Wall? True, the unit I was stationed at (SPD then PCF) was a transition unit for those facing Courts Martial charges or those being processed back to active duty after being in prison. They were also processed for trial for AWOL, drugs, etc. So, yes there were alot of "misfits" putting it mildly but I think there can be a strict standard for who would be drafted.

When it comes right down to it, a body bag was still a body bag no matter if it contained someone who drafted or who enlisted.

[Grampa]

I prefer the all vontunteer Army. I think expanded troop strength levels is the answer rather than the draft. All the draft would do is create division.
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Iraqi Freedom 2003-2004. We won't take any of that 1960s crap when We come home!

[D17Trooper]

I was drafted. Kerry enlisted. I think it's time for a universal draft -- for everyone at high school graduation, for two or three years. However, some are not suited for military service. We have potholes to fill, mail to be delivered, patients to care for, children to be taught, computers to play with, and garbage to be picked up. I think we can find something for everybody. If you want military for your service pass the tests. If you can think of better ways to do things, prove it. If you are a CO, work in the hospitals or the psych units. Do the yard work for old vets. Something. It would do wonders for unemployment, too. For those who are third or fourth generation welfare recipients, they could spend their hitch learning other alternatives. There are a lot of potential positives.
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D17Trooper
3 Platoon, D Troop, 17 Cav, 199LIB, RVN 67-69
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[coldwarvet]

[D17Trooper]

Who goes there is me, and I do have a right to express my opinion on this draft issue. But first, I agree with you that there are a lot more important things to discuss. For instance, if Kerry is running illegally, and should not, according to the constitution, even hold a seat in the Senate, does the oath I took to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies, both foriegn and domestic, require me to take some kind of action? If so, what should I do? If not, should I start checking the real estate ads in Australia or New Zealand?
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D17Trooper
3 Platoon, D Troop, 17 Cav, 199LIB, RVN 67-69
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[coldwarvet]

[redhawk34]

There are arguments to be made on both sides of the draft issue, but this I must say; in the 199th LIB at least, you could not tell the difference between the Regular and the Draftee. Some of the most motivated and proficient soldiers I knew (and know) were drafted.
Redhawk

[garb1015]

I did Basic Training at Ft. Ord, Ca. in 1969. In my company about 8 out of 10 guys were drafted. All of the enlistees that I knew had joined for one reason. They gladly took the extra year in order to have a guaranteed MOS that was NON-COMBAT. They were no more or less of a patriot, no more or less dedicated and no more or less of a soldier.
A mortar round didn't differentiate between a US or an RA.