Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Matt_22]

I'm an American who can usually be described as socially liberal, and I wish they would bring back the draft. I'm a young guy too, and would probably be drafted myself, but I think it's high time something like that is enacted. For many reasons.

1) Many Americans have no real tie or feeling for their own country. They just view it as the society and land in which they live in, not the country to which they loyally serve, protect and sustain. If millions of young people are pushed into service abroad, they will be able to see the world around them, begin to appreciate the country they grew up in, and it will give them a sense of responsibility to serve and better their own country. Hell, it would probably increase voter turnout even.

2) It would foster equality. This would only work if the draft were enacted to include everyone at random - no copouts for college, being rich, being a girl, etc. Politicians would be much more careful with their decisions if they knew they might be sending their own son or daughter into a place like Al-Anbar.

3) It could improve international relations. With millions of young civilians drafted, the government could send many conscientious objectors on other non-violent missions. This could be similar to the Peace Corps in nature, and dumping hundreds of thousands of productive volunteers across the world to aid those in developing nations is one helluva political move.

4) It could improve infrastructure at home. During non-violent times, drafted civilians could complete work projects within the US. New Orleans could be rebuilt in a fraction of the time, and levees could be constructed around dangerous areas that would prevent such disasters from happening again. Any pressing need could be taken care of.

5) America could win in Iraq. Even though the whole invasion was an incredibly stupid move in the first place, if the forces in Iraq were tripled with a draft than it wouldn't be much of a problem to maintain security. And with all those extra forces, reconstructing the country wouldn't be a problem. And if Iraqis found themselves living better than ever before, with the help of the US reconstruction, then the US would have a new ally in the Middle East and a major oil exporter at that.

It'll never happen, bringing back the draft, but it would really help my country (and a lot of others) if it would. Just my opinion.

[Julius]

[Wrench]

I am actually thinking of joining the marines or FFL when I get out of Korea.

I am Canadian. Its kinda nice having Moral and ethical flexibility.

[cbclark4]

The OP wished to serve then he should serve please serve.

However that he should force servirude upon other is unethical.

Has this liberal American read the constitution?

Compulsory service, Involuntary Servitude:

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_transcript.html

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html

I would like to call your attention to this particular passage.

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. Amendment XIII Sec. 1 to the Constitution of the United States.

cbc

[Satori]

[cbclark4]

I am afraid that you are wrong and should look up the statistics on the education level in the US Military.

Truth be known there are college educated in the enlisted ranks because there is a waiting list to get into the officer corps.

It was only very recently that the Army started accepting Volunteers without a HS diploma, and if my information is correct they are required to complete a GED within a certain period of time. And the quota control on the number of recruits sans diploma is quite a bit less than the stardard HS drop out rate.

The proportion of Officer to enlisted reflects to the similar proportion in industry. The average enlistee has a trade and technical expertise.

It takes extreme expertise to field strip a weapon in the dark under fire.

http://www.army.mil/references/FY04ArmyProfile.pdf

cbc

[Satori]

[cbclark4]

So in your all tooo humble opinion Pat Tillman had few good options.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Tillman

Humble thyself, what are you espousing some kind of transcendental stereotype of the military man. I really thought that you of all people would be above the stereotype mentality.

Reflect now deeply.

cbc

[mindmetoo]

The last time that senator proposed the draft bill, in 2003, it got two votes. It's performance art, it's not a real bill. However, I think he makes a valid point that the people doing the heavy lifting aren't the upper 5%. When the children of the rich might have to serve and die, they might think twice about some damn foolish adventure.

On the flip side, history has shown the rich always have the connections to get their children, if not out of the draft, in positions far out of harms way, like the Air National Guard.

I remember Derrek used to be very pro the Iraq war. I would always ask him why a big, healthy able bodied American who was so sure of the cause, didn't quit his job teaching and sign up. He would grow quiet silent on that topic.

It just seems to me if you're American, you're in favor of the war, and you're capable of serving, well, put your money where your mouth is.

[twg]

[Gwangjuboy]

[cbclark4]

Take a look at the Casualty reports they are spread across all ranks.
Actually a lot less Private (E1, E3, E3) Rank than you would expect.

I think there is even a rare colonel or two in there.

http://icasualties.org/oif/Details.aspx

cbc

[NAVFC]

[twg]

Not to mention that the fat fryer at McDonalds can cause such nasty burns on your fingers.

Personally, I think the current fetishism of soldiers is more damaging than calling them baby-killers or some other nonsense. It makes it easier for those in power to see them off to the meat-grinder because they have the public behind them, waving little flags, and saying, "Try to come back with all of your limbs, dear."

[SuperFly]

I just watched a news show yesterday where they said the lastest studies and numbers suggest that the all volunteer military is representative of all income zones & family backgrounds, not as been suggested by some that only the poor, illiterate and minority join. They said that the military doesn't want to bring the back the draft because it would lower the quality of the military.




Both my brother and I joined the military out of a sense of duty, especially to our father who spent over 30 years in and fought in two wars. It was just something we wanted to do and get out of the way before we started school. We were so used to being around the military all our lives, so joining seemed like a rite of passage. Of course, I couldn't wait to get the hell out once I was in...but that's another dog story.