Is There A Draft In Here .... ???

[skidkid]

"The product produced by American schools/society is today of a muhc lower quality than in the past hence the need for a crucible core values training etc. "

I disagree, this argument always seems to be made by older generations about newer generations. Were the products of the 50's, 60's, and 70's of so much higher quality than those of today? I don't thinks so, I think in both cases there were those that contributed to society in a positive way and those that did not. Its true that older generations faced much greater challenges(both world wars, korea, etc), but its my argument that every generation will rise to meet the challenges presented to them. Can't you just picture people in the 1920's and 30's saying how their kids aren't as tough as they were and would never be able to win another war like World War I?

Lower quality was perhaps a poor choice of words. However many more of our young enlisted personnel are from single family homes adn a school system mroe focused on self esteem than on solid educational backround. Im not saying that a signifigant contribution cant and hasnt been made. I would put the Marines of today against any that have gone before. The training regime however has had to change. In previous generations those that chose to serve had a more solid base provided by society. Our society has changed a bit, reference the rampant obesity as an example. WE in the military need to adjsut our training to counter/accomodate this. This is possibel wiht a volunteer but maybe not with a draftee. Just my opinions based on a little reading and some experience.

 

[Physicx]

A lot of time when you get drafted you don't get to pick your MOS.If you want more info go to armyocs.com.

 

[Grant]

A lot of time when you get drafted you don't get to pick your MOS.If you want more info go to armyocs.com.

During WW2, when you got drafted you didnt get to pick anything. Thats one of the many reasons there were such long lines at recruiting stations... our grandfathers figured they better go ahead and enlist now, and therefore get to choose their branch of service, and somewhat of a choice in what they do for their occupation.... because if they didnt, they were gonna get drafted eventually, and have no say at all.

 

[nittany03]

Interesting to here the opinions from those who have been there and done that with a draft in effect. Personally I don't have much enthusiasm for the idea. Granted, I didn't exist until after the last draft was repealed.

I heard James Webb speak while in ROTC, and he was of the opinion (I paraphrase) that conscription would be a good thing, at least in the long haul, by giving the nation a vested interest in what the military is doing. He also maintained, if I recall, that he saw little or no difference in his Marines in the field based on draft/volunteer origins. Same dirtbag/good guy ratio.

I also remember listening as a mid to a former Marine SGTMAJ who served as a DI during the Vietnam period. He said that he had no clue who was a volunteer recuit and who was a draftee until a fellow DI pointed out that all the draftees had a "D" in front of their service numbers. At which point he thought, "oh, so that's what that 'D' meant."

 

[A4sForever]

Yes, we should reinstitute the Military Draft .... rationale to follow. More important things than national security and duty intervene, however --- must squeeze fresh limes for sustenance .... :icon_rast

 

[Grant]

that he saw little or no difference in his Marines in the field based on draft/volunteer origins. Same dirtbag/good guy ratio.

I heard somewhere that Marines never took draftees, that its always been all-volunteer, that only the Army, AF, and Navy supplemented their ranks by way of the draft.

Anybody know if this is true?

 

[A4sForever]

I heard somewhere that Marines never took draftees

You heard wrong .... and while the numbers pale in comparison to the Army, but the '60's Vietnam USMC draftees were not looked kindly upon by the DI's in boot Camp .....

 

[Grant]

'60's Vietnam USMC draftees were not looked kindly upon by the DI's in boot Camp .....

I bet...

 

[TurnandBurn55]

Yup... I remember hearing stories from Pops about folks lining up after being drafted... then every fourth guy getting tapped out and told "Congrats, you're now a Marine!"

Now, I certainly don't believe the Navy or the Chair Force drafted during Vietnam... but there's always a 'trickle-down' effect... i.e. deciding to volunteer for the Navy/AF rather than get drafted and sent infantry...

 

[TransvestFO]

Bring back the draft! That whole quality spread thing is a strange argument with only anecdotal evidence spread out over several generations. It's time to dust off some lessons from the greatest generation. I'm not even talking about drafting for the GWOT. I think we should draft to maintain a standing military force. I believe a modern draft does not have to carry on the stigmas associated with the Viet Nam campaign. Handled correctly, it could provide a cohesive and defining force our society is sorely lacking. Sign 'em up.

 

[saltpeter]

The Navy's drafting? I thought they were trying to cut their manpwoer numbers, decommissioning ships, and stopping the ordering of new ones over the coming years. Source: THE HOOK.