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 | | Posted by: Brian Baker | 11/22/2006 6:30 AM | Nothing fires up Americans of all ages like a call to renew the draft. Once again, Congressman Rangel (D NY) has decided to introduce legislation to revive the draft. For an alternative view by conservative pundit Henry Mark Holzer, see the article "F-ck the Draft."
The difference this time, over past drafts, is that there would be no deferrals, except conscientious objector.
Is the draft inherently bad? I would argue no. In fact, I support the draft - I'm just happy it ended just before I was to have been eligible.
A draft is good on a number of fronts, so to speak. First, if done without deferrals, it equalizes the military through a diversity of race, economics, and political viewpoint. As it stands now, with an all volunteer military - especially one with reduced enrollment requirements - the nation is protected by many of those who have no other option, either economically or judicially, except being there. They are trained to follow orders no matter what and are more easily manipulated that way.
Many if not all of the high ranking superiors did not come into the Military that way, they were drafted and add a balance of viewpoint to the military. When they move on, that balance may shift and the military potentially becomes an agent ripe for abuse. Balancing the military through true multilevel diversity is essential to a free nation.
Second, if more of America were invested personally in the military then there would be a lot more consideration and caution given to putting the military men and women in harms way. No one truly likes to see military personnel killed or injured, but there would be more of an outcry from those that have the power in America if there sons and daughters were potential victims as well.
As it stands now only one member of Congress has a family member serving overseas.
Finally, like organized sports, the military teaches organization and cooperation skills.
Those who meet the conscientious objector level should be required to serve elsewhere in a Civilian Conservation Corp or AmeriCorp, or similar public interest/non-profit position.
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