Will the Draft Return?

As many of our troops are redeploying for the fourth and fifth times, many Americans feel that it might be time to reinstate the Military Draft in the United States. The old saying is that there is strength in numbers. Our National Guard and Army reserve Units are taxed to the brink. Many people feel that we are spread way to thin now.

Rep. Charles Rangel of New York introduced a bill back in 2003 to re instate the draft. At that time it didn't go any where. However 4 years later and many in both the Congress and the Senate are having second thoughts. The readiness of our Military is on shaky ground. Roughly 40% of our present military is made up of minorities and lower lower class individuals. Rangel believes that middle and upper class whites should share the burden of war. He offered a plan to mandate military service for men and women from ages 18 to 42.

According to our military leaders, we are stretched very thin. To stay the course in Iraq and the Mid East in General, we either must redeploy our troops that have come home or send in new fresh troops. Many Democrats want our troops to come home. They feel that they have done all that has been asked of them. However, President Bush and the Republicans want to keep pushing our troops over seas. Both parties has legitimate goals. But, which one is right for us.

Many beleive the only way to secure our effort in Iraq is to bring the draft back. In the 70"s, the Vietnam War was undeclared war. Many families lost loved ones in a very unpopular war. Many Americans feel the same about the constant struggle in Iraq, which is no longer a war either. The war was over when the Iraq military was toppled. But, for some reason, the effort of accomplishing our goal of helping make Iraq independent appears to be going no where.

We are the strongest military and most technologically advanced military in the world. Yet, many believe that isn't good enough. Billions of dollars has been spent on rebuilding Iraq. Some feel that kind of money should be used to strengthen our own country first. I am a strong believer in America first. If we can't take of ourselves, how can we be expected to take care of others?

If conscription becomes necessary, about 2000 local and appeal boards would need volunteers. These boards would decide who goes to war and who gets deferred The Pentagon has been working for sometime to be ready to put the draft into readiness should it be approved by the administration.

What is fair? Is it fair for the people that have served to be forced to do more tours of duty? Yes, they may have volunteered but, they have families and livelihoods, too. Even if we brought the draft back and released those that are now on active duty, wouldn't we still have about the same number of troops as we do now? They would be less experienced than those that are now deployed. It appears that we have placed our country and those serving in a very precarious situation.

It would appear that something is going to happen and happen soon. I wonder if it would be possible to offer more incentives for those that serve and at the same time try to attract more individuals into joining the military. If we are going to have a volunteer military, why not make it worth while for their effort. As I said earlier, we are the greatest nation with most advanced technology that has ever existed on this planet. Why can't we put that to work for us? Why can't we make the military a better place to have a career?

It is very easy for the administration to call for a draft. However, there are still a lot of sore wounds left over from the Vietnam War. There are those that served in that war that felt unappreciated when they returned from doing their duty for the country. That didn't help matters. As John Rambo said in is first movie,"First Blood", "They called us baby killers." That has hit a nerve with a lot that lost friends and relatives fighting an undeclared war. The resentment is still felt today.

So what do we do? We can't forget those that are placing their lives in harms way today. Is it fair to make them serve again even though they are volunteers?