Drafting

[T3XT]

How do you feel about the drafting of the common man into military forces during times of war?

Many countries still have their people carry a draft card, which is a (often mandatory) identification that allows you to be drafted into the military in the case that the government wants more soldiers in a time of war. Many people often forget they have draft cards because in most countries they are seldom used.

How do you feel about the use of drafting in times of war? Do you think it's okay to force people to go to war if the government needs more troops?

[T3XT]

Personally, I don't like the idea of drafting for the simple reason that people who don't want to fight for their country should have to. War is a scarring experience, and people who aren't prepared to see it shouldn't have to. And with any war, there will be some that just don't support their country's role in the war at all, and no one should have to fight for something they don't believe in. In contrast, there will also be many other people that feel just the opposite, and will immediately enlist if it means helping their country win. And if no one enlists, that probably means that it's simply a cause not worth supporting at all.

One more thing: many Americans forget that men in their country can still be drafted into the army. However, the last time we did that was way back in Vietnam, so it's not something that happens often. Still, it's a scary thought knowing that if you're a common man you're always eligible for being the government's grunt.

[Sense-Offender]

Only if my country is being invaded or is somehow under imminent threat and we don't have a strong enough force. I don't really see this happening.

[Tony-DarkGrave]

How it works:

Congress and the President authorize a draft: The president claims a crisis has occurred which requires more troops than the volunteer military can supply. Congress passes and the President signs legislation which revises the Military Selective Service Act to initiate a draft for military manpower.

The Lottery: A lottery based on birthdays determines the order in which registered men are called up by Selective Service. The first to be called, in a sequence determined by the lottery, will be men whose 20th birthday falls during the calendar year the induction takes place, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 19 and 18 year olds (in that order).

All parts of the Selective Service System are activated: The Agency activates and orders its State Directors and Reserve Force Officers to report for duty.

Physical, mental and moral evaluation of registrants: Registrants with low lottery numbers receive examination orders and are ordered to report for a physical, mental, and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once he is notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement, or deferment.

Local and appeal boards activated and induction notices sent: Local and Appeal Boards will begin processing registrant claims/appeals. Those who passed the military evaluation will receive induction orders. An inductee will have 10 days to report to a local Military Entrance Processing Station for induction.

First draftees are inducted: According to current plans, Selective Service must deliver the first inductees to the military within 193 days from the onset of a crisis

[Entice]

I would want women to be drafted as well. Whether or not they should serve on the front lines is an argument for another thread (I believe they should), but they could at least serve in support roles.

[morefngdbs]

At 3/27/13 06:43 AM, Tony-DarkGrave wrote: How it works:
a large amount of information ......

you forgot to mention how congress men (& women) as well as senator's keep their kid's out of the meat grinder.

Sure I know "officially" that doesn't happen, but if you look at it historically It Sure Does !

Got any info for us on that ~:)

[Cynical-Charlotte]

Most of my family works with the military or government. From those I have asked, it is pretty clear that the military doesn't want another draft. The previous one was a nightmare to clean up, and warfare today requires less men than it did in Vietnam. Plus, the Pentagon knows that draftees are significantly less motivated than volunteer servicemen. Most will operate at sub-par levels on the field, and be less likely to re-enlist after their tour.

The battlefield of tomorrow is becoming more automated as technology advances. A draft will be extremely unnecessary, if it isn't already, within the next decade or so. The only time it could be optimal is in the event of a land invasion by a foreign power. But, this is (currently) unlikely - and not just because any real opposition would have to cross an entire ocean unimpeded.