Charles Rangel Introduces H.R. 5741, Universal National Service Act

Charles Rangel is not only known for his various ethics violations, but also for his desire to bring back the military draft. For that purpose, Rangel has introduced H.R. 5741, Universal National Service Act.

The purpose of H.R. 5741 is "To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes."

Charles Rangel introduced H.R. 5741, and it has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee.

The previous peace time draft was abolished by President Nixon during the Vietnam War. The United States Armed Forces have relied on volunteers ever since.

The provisions of H.R. 5741 differ a little bit from the old peace-time draft. Women as well as men will be subject to the draft. There is no provision for a college deferment, a provision often abused during the Vietnam Era. The Rangel bill also suggests that some people who are drafted can fulfill their service in some kind of civilian capacity, as long as it is related to national defense or homeland security.

The question arises, what purpose is served by a return of the draft? The military currently is having no problem filling its ranks with volunteers. Forcing a generation of young people to set aside two years of their lives to perform service that they may not be inclined to do would inevitably increase societal tensions.

But that last may be the point. The answer to the question arises from the reason President Nixon abolished the draft to start with.

Much of the resistance to the Vietnam War manifested itself in opposition to the draft that filled the ranks of the military fighting in South East Asia. Many college-age anti-war protesters articulated a number of reasons for opposing the Vietnam War, ranging from an antipathy to all war, to skepticism of the wisdom of that particular war, to even support of the enemy. But the principle reason was the lack of desire of many college-age young people to perform national service in a hazardous war zone for reasons they did not agree with.

Once the military draft was abolished, a principle reason for opposition to the Vietnam War also was abolished. Subsequent wars, such as the Gulf War and the War on Terror, have drawn a level of civil protest, but nowhere near the level or effectiveness of the Vietnam-era anti-war movement. The servicemen and women who campaign in the Middle East and Central Asia are there by and large because they want to be. No one who does not want to place themselves in harm's way need apply.

Charles Rangel, in trying to reinstate the draft in H.R. 5741, is evidently trying to change all of that. If the ranks of the military are filled with unwilling people, torn from their civilian lives by government command, then resistance to any war, no matter how necessary it might be to the national security of the United States, will by necessity become more potent. Charles Rangel, a liberal Democrat and a lifelong opponent to military intervention abroad, will have provided a weapon to other opponents of waging war against America's enemies.

The good news is that H.R. 5741 is not likely to pass. The US military doesn't want it. The idea of a military draft is anathema to most Americans, even those who are ardent supporters of the War on Terror. The Obama administration, even though they might dream of drafting warm bodies for its priorities in the guise of "National Service," will be ill-disposed to annoy the American people further. Neither will most of Congress be in favor of it, facing reelection.

H.R. 5741 is, thus, just one last parting shot from Charles Rangel on his way to forced retirement due to his ethics troubles.

Source:

H.R. 5741, Universal National Service Act, Thomas.Gov