A Military Draft May Not Be a Bad Thing!

With the Presidential Election looming ahead - controversy abounds on many issues ,-- as it should! The reinstatement of the Draft is the perfect topic for a dull party, guaranteed to spark debates that will continue into the wee hours without any resolution.

As I scroll through articles all over the Web I find myself wondering what has happened to all the children of the 50's and 60's? That was a time when the word 'Draft' was as common as saying '57 Chevy or as doing the "Twist" and the "Jitterbug"! Where are the 50's and 60's folks that served in Vietnam with pride? Why are they not writing in support of the draft? Maybe some were wounded, and yes, many lost their lives, but just about all served with pride for our country!

How can we say that the Draft would be a bad thing? It is my personal opinion (which doesn't really amount to much in most circles now-a-days!) that the Draft would rebuild some of our lost values. During the Vietnam Era the Draft was for boys only - and the fact that everyone knew it was an option facing high school graduates seemed to give a sense of direction to many. Those that were drafted accepted their path and served. Others chose to be "CO's" (remember conscientious objectors?). Another option to all offered the ability of deciding which branch of the military to enlist into, and taking that step before being drafted - which was the option that many took as a way to pick a career path in the military, obtaining training that helped them through their lives both during and after serving.e

Not only does it seem that the Draft would bring back the values we as American's cherish, and give a direction to high school boys -- it could and should be expanded to now include drafting girls..... yep! --- that's what I said, include girls.

Just a few more reasons I feel the Draft would be a good thing. As a child of the 50's, (and a girl), I have watched our youth go from clean cut, dress coded, rock and roll loving kids with hair cuts - to multi-pierced, baggy pant wearing, black eye makeup, Goth supporters. Ok. Not all youth, but a heck of a lot of them! There were never high school shootings during draft years. Although there was always drug use in high school it was more of an experimental thing, not the beginning of a way of life. The Draft loomed ahead making most know that the youthful partying was limited. Most high school boys knew that out of high school they would be serving for 2 or more years and the option of piercing their noses, eyebrows, cheeks and gosh knows whatever else unmentionable parts was pretty much nil because the military would not allow it. Not military minded? Ok - choose college or trade school. Farmer's son ? - opt to stay on the farm and raise crops or cattle for the support of our country. Opt to serve in another way - perhaps in a home-side hospital. Plenty of options but all going in the same direction - serving our country.

I made the statement that perhaps the draft could now be expanded to include high school girls. Let's see, perhaps there again would be less piercing, less drugs, less video beatings on U-Tube, less high school pregnancies... because if the Draft is in your future you have direction, or need to find direction! You either know you are going to be drafted, you need to enlist, or you need to pick a college, trade school, or serve in an alternative way as allot of the "CO's" did, working in hospitals or other stateside support positions. Oh, and now-a-days, moms can serve!

Would it hurt us to have our children or grandchildren held up to the standards we were held to? Knowing that our sons, daughters, grandkids were stepping up and helping to protect our country either in battle or out - and that choice can still be theirs with a draft - would instill a pride in our country and citizens that has slowly been eroding.

The Draft had nothing to do with the Vietnam war protests. The Draft had everything to do with the shaping of many good men. Ok again. There are always a few bad 'eggs' in every situation, but the military does help shape boys into more self reliant men. The Draft would do the same with our young girls - we would see more confident young women after serving.

Don't care to fight? Fine - serve in the hospitals, be in the support systems so those that do chose to fight have back up and know they are appreciated and cared for from the side lines.

As I read articles written by those that have been to Iraq and have come home wounded or because their tour is up, there is always the repeated desire to return to be with their units. The pride of serving, the knowledge that a suppressed country is being helped and they are part of that help is strong. These articles are written by both men and women and the central themes are always the same. Self pride. Pride for our country. The desire to protect our country from the thieves that wish to steel our freedom. A sense of self worth that can be felt right through the articles or over the television. Strong posture, strong voices, well fitting sharp looking uniforms. Again, Self Pride. (No weird piercings).

How can the Draft be a bad thing? It is not a written-in-stone-death-threat to all high school students. It is an option. A path to follow when there is no other sense of direction. A chance for an education or training and the opportunity to do a good thing, whether in a war zone or in the outside bleachers - there to back up those that choose to fight. Giving our children/grandchildren a 'push' towards something after high school can only be a positive step towards rebuilding our values,-- values that have been disappearing.

If it's not a war time it's a good way to travel, learn, serve, grow, and find self worth. If we live here we should be able to provide service for our country!

Remember the old "Love it or leave it" posters in the 60's? That was a pretty good statement then, and is a pretty good statement now! Many other countries that are not as free as us force their youth into service - yes, force their youth. So, "love it or leave it" - and see how many options are offered elsewhere.

As I said - how can the draft be a bad thing?