Should the United States have Mandatory Military Conscription?

The United States should not bring back mandatory military service, also known as “the draft”. I personally am not supportive of the draft due to many issues including health and mental concerns brought about by the war. These concerns include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Substance Abuse, just to name a few. I also feel that the education of the soldiers would be limited because after age 18, most people go to college. Age 18 is also the age males must enlist for the draft. If I were forced into the Army due to a draft, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to live life to the fullest. For instance, if a soldier was severely injured, the injury would affect the way that person would of live the rest of their life. The injury could even potentially cut the person’s life short. The mental health, physical health, education, and life in general should be taken into consideration before the United States sends young men and women out to war. These diseases are very harmful and we should think about others not just ourselves.

Previous conscription implementations have been proved to be devastating to its nations. The economy depends on the workers and cannot possibly be maintained if many of said workers are drafted into the military. Civil liberties must always be prioritized over national security in the United States because that is what the nation was built upon. Lastly, with all the other alternatives present there is no need for a military conscription to occur. Overall a mandatory military conscription in the United States clearly should not be an event that arises in the foreseeable future due to previous conscription efforts, possible economic effects, the infringement of civil liberties, and other

“I think we ought to have a draft. I think if a nation goes to war, it shouldn't be represented by a professional force because it gets to be unrepresentative of the population . . . .” (Fayette, par. 2). Those are the words of General Stanley McChrystal, the former senior commander of international forces in Afghanistan, speaking of his stance on whether the United States should bring back the draft. The American public has become disconnected from the military. The time has come to do something about this; it is time to reinstate the draft. There are three reasons why the draft should be reinstated. The costs of military personnel have soared in recent years, it would make elected officials think twice before sending troops overseas since there will be a larger pool of draftees it would create a melting pot of backgrounds. Although there are those who condemn the draft, they miss the point entirely. Without question, the draft should be reinstated immediately.

Conscription, or more boldly the draft, has not been in place for some thirty years. While some people cringe at the thought of reinstating the draft, others have different views. This short paper will speak of those different views and the reasons why conscription of military service may not be such a bad idea after all.

For most of American history men, and women have rose to the occasion in times of war, and joined. Women served as nurses, and cooks, while the men fought. This idea of fighting for our country is slowly fading; the U.S. Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam war, and the Korean War all used drafts. What if everyone was required to spend two years in the military? When did the idea of fighting for one’s country, one’s freedom, leave the minds of young adults in the country. A two year draft might not affect you, but your children, your grandchildren, and so forth deserve to live in a country that is great. Fighting for your country should be something everyone takes part in; we should not take our freedom for granted; the United States of America has your back, give the country

The Military Draft has been a major part in United States history. The draft has been used in four different conflicts in the United States of America. It was used in Both world wars, the Civil war, and the Cold war. It might have been effective during these times, but it also causes great corruption and sacrifice. It caused families to lose their sons and friends. Many people lied about their age to join the war, and they were too young and didn’t understand the consequences of war. War is never a good thing to be in, in any circumstance. It this paper I will give you reasons why we don’t need a United States draft. As Americans we have to be thankful that we have a strong and productive Military, so we can have our freedom and safety in times of need.

This paper looks at the question in reference to “Should the President Be Required to Have Served in the Military?” in reference to be allowed to why the candidates should serve the officer before being considered for president. It also looks at the point given by some who argue, the President Be Required to Have Served in the Military they believe it will help the citizens respect your opinions and authority more. The government may have reasons to why the President Be required to have served in the Military. This paper highlights why the President Be required to have served in the Military and the opposing side to that right.

The draft started on April 16, 1862 for the Confederate States during the Civil War. The Union then conducted their own draft on March 3, 1863. The Northern 1862 draft was an attempt to let states handle their own conscriptions, instead of the old volunteer militia. The next draft took place on September 16, 1940 for World War I and remained in effect continuously until 1973. The president, Woodrow Wilson, decided that “A draft was needed and nearly 3,000,000 soldiers were drafted following the Service Act of 1917.” (Understanding the U.S. Military Draft History 1). The reasoning behind President Wilson calling for the draft is because “Before the draft only 73,000 soldiers volunteered during the first 6 weeks of World War I” (Understanding the U.S. Military Draft History 1). Before July of 1973 “The draft was in effect continuously from 1940 to 1973” (Smith 1). This means that more than 10,000,000 men were drafted and sent off into battle throughout the past wars.

According to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Conscription is defined as “the practice of ordering people by law to serve in the armed forces” (Merriam-Webster’s 2000.) While the definition Merriam-Webster gives of slavery is “submission to a dominating influence” (Merriam-Webster’s 2000). The similarity between these two terms is apparent, and any justification of slavery is known to be a pitiable grievance. When the government is clearly a dominating influence with the illegality of not participating in the draft and desertion being a punishable offence there is no question it was a form of slavery. In the land of the free how could it be that such fundamental rights were being stripped away? The 13th amendment a doctrine against slavery was created long before the Vietnam Draft, and yet involuntary servitude was still permitted. As stated by the National Archives the 13th amendment provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”(Constitution 1985). Therefore the servitude that men were forced into during the Vietnam War directly violates the constitution. Shockingly though after abolishing slavery, and encouraging a variety of methods to promote equality, the draft was just

This pamphlet has been created to help you understand why the draft should be brought back in today's society.

Would you be willing to drop everything right now and join the military? Thousands of men were troubled with this question in the twentieth century. The United States draft, also called conscription, was first used during the Civil War but later used in WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Napoleon was the first general to use the modern draft. In 1940 FDR signed the Training Service Act of 1940 starting the first formal draft in the United States, but in 1973 congress decided to have an all-volunteer military. President Carter decided to resume the draft in 1980 due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Today the draft is not used but the US still requires its 18-year-old

During the Vietnam War 27 million American men registered for the “Draft”. A American man was required to register for the draft at the age of 18. Men between the ages of 18-26 years old fought in Vietnam unless they were in college or Medically disabled. 80% of the middle and lower classes fought in the war, and about ⅔ of the men were volunteers to fight.

Starting with the First World War and ending with the Korean War, there were 16,307,243 American’s inducted into wars by the Selective Service (Induction Statistics). These men were inducted into the wars by the draft method. A draft is an imperative recruitment for the military services. Drafts were very helpful with gathering men for the wars that America fought in. Many people did not want to be apart of the drafts, but there were many ways to get out of one as well. Drafts were a necessary action in order to get the men of the United States to fight for their country, and protect the freedoms of others.

When you enjoy the freedoms you have living in the United States, you can thank those men and women who serve in the armed forces. But in recent years, our armed forces have seen a decline in enlistments, which has reignited and old debate. Should we reinstate the Military Draft? This one question has sparked a debate nationwide, between friends, family, and even perfect strangers. Reinstating the draft is just one way to ensure people can continue to enjoy those freedoms the armed forces have fought for over the years.

Throughout human history, war has permeated the lives of billions of people. From early conflicts such as conquests to control vast swaths of land by Alexander the Great and Cyrus the Great to modern, global wars such as the World Wars, the concept of war has been at the forefront of humanity’s mind for centuries. However, in recent years, opposition to war and lack of participation in the military has become a common theme in many countries, including the United States. To help alleviate the troubles caused by lack of participation, the United States instituted a law allowing for the conscription of its citizens. Conscription, which can also be referred to as a draft, is defined as the compulsory drafting of citizens into military service (What). The Draft has been utilized throughout US History in a couple of prominent wars; however, opposition has manifested against the Vietnam War and the draft, rightfully stemming from ethical opposition to the war and hatred for what the war and the draft stood for.