Return to Article: Army, Marine Corps struggle with mandate to expand
-
42302
do you have to Reg. at 18 and if you don't is their a punishment?
-
37714
I totally agree with Scott. In today's times, we have women in the military, I was one of them. The draft needs to be changed to include all 18 yr. old women too, not just men. I volunteered but I feel now that no one should be FORCED to go to war and kill another human being. "Women need to be drafted if the Selective Service is enacted." America will wake up then if this happens and figure out a war to deal with outsiders quicker and better.
-
37516
I think "Blessed" is the appropriate term here. The Marines are blessed because although commendable, they are a much smaller force than the Army. The US Army has and will continue to provide the majority of the personnel and losses in both Afghanistan and Iraq. This is a fact that is not wrapped in a beautiful commercial or sound bite. I love my Marine brethren in Arms, but it is clear that the Army is leading the way.
-
37412
Draft. Vietnam. I think that says it all. Oh, and my father, brothers, grandfathers on both sides, grandmother on mothers side, and every generation back to the civil war has served in the Army, Air Force and/or Marines. Those that didn't serve in the military worked for/retired from the government. My brother volunteered for Vietnam. I for one would rather a volunteer force rather than men and women who would rather be somewhere else.
-
37313
Response to "Manny Posted November 13, 2007 4:24 PM", yes there is the Selective Service law which requires 18 y.o. males to register. What I am explaining is that the registration law and any draft MUST include both genders. If a draft was instituted, a court case would be generated so swiftly challenging on the concept of: gender discrimination; namely, why do males need to be drafted and not females. The old adage of: well, women do not have upper body strength does not work in this modern age. Little Susie can still pull a trigger just as well as Big Jack !! No, DRAFT the females too.
-
37235
"The Marine Corps, blessed with an image as an elite organization, hasn't had any serious recruiting problems so far." Blessed? I don't think so. The Corps works hard at maintaining a higher standard that the rest can't reach and has earned this through years of success.
-
37233
The government has a pool of personnel available to them, its the Selective Service. All males, including immigrants, ages 18-25 must register for Selective Service its the law. By virtue of this requirement, the Govt can draft from this pool of personnel.
-
37216
Seems like what we need is a draft for the State Department, not the Military, so State can find enough people willing to do their job of nation building and the military can come back home.
-
37202
Prior comments are right on point! Bring back the Draft (for national service) with a requirement for everyone, regardless of gender.
My son now wears a uniform, as did I, and as my father did during WWII. My son's sense of understanding of and level of appreciation for what this country offers makes him an oddity within his age cohort. Having the experience of "Service to country" makes a vastly noticeable difference in attitude and commitment in all facets of life, but especially in the area of personal responsiblity.
What a positive difference we would see in this country if a requirement for national service was implemented!! BRING BACK THE DRAFT NOW!!
-
37190
The last thing the military needs is more civilian land crabs, converting jobs to civilians would be a disaster.
Todays military is the best ever with kids who are motivated and have a real love for what they are doing, going back to the draft is a non starter. The discipline problems and no shows meant that you need twice the warm bodies to get the job done.
One law that needs to be changed is allowing schools and universities to opt out of allowing recruiters and ROTC on campus. Fed funds should end the minute the schools stop cooperating
-
37175
Well, finally an author on this topic mentions the "D" word; DRAFT. Bring back the draft. BUT, this time, include BOTH genders. If the Administration attempts to reinstitute the military draft with only the male gender, this program will land up in court so fast. The females want equality; fine, they will get equality after they slap a military uniform on as their first function in boot camp!!!
-
37168
There is a very simple answer to this problem. All those soldiers in desk jobs can be converted to civilian positions. Computer operators, Accounting Tech,s, Admin Specialist, Mail Clerks, Cooks etc. All the excess soldiers to the front lines to combat positions.
-
37145
Bacevich has it wrong. Manpower raised thru a draft could include even better skilled soldiers than volunteers -- provided a true cross section is tapped for service.
As for a draftee force "constraining" policy re depolyments, restricting deployments? That's patently silly. From the Civil War thru Vietnam, we operated very succesfully with conscripts. Any lack of success in Vietnam was due largely to lack of political and not a lack of military capability.
One point he has the bears merit: Making some sort of national servie -- military or other -- mandatory for EVERY American. I'd add that it should be a condition for full citizenship even for the native born. Something must be earned to be appreciated. Most take the blessings of liberty for granted. They need to see there's a price to be paid for it.
PROMO RIGHT: EVENTS
UPCOMING WEBINARS
NOVEMBER 18
Speed bumps for Teleworking: What are they and how to avoid them?
DECEMBER 3
Achieve Program Success: Unlock the Management Information in Your Data
DECEMBER 10
Practical Transparency: Applying Exchange Networks for Mission Results
PROMO RIGHT: DIRECTORIES
Post a Comment
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.