The Draft

[Lyion]

I personaly am against the draft, I don't like the idea of it being random..what I am in favor for thoug his this:

2 years active service for every male citizen (that is reasonably able to) after they graduate highschool. Give them one year of basic military training, one year of specialized field work - count it as college credits, those that want to go to college afterwards can go, on the goverments dime for state schools, and % paid for more private schools. I think this would give everyone job skills to last them in the real world. I think it would honestly help a few of the major problems with todays 20 somethings.

Thats actually a really good idea.

[xaoshaen]

The problem with a two year service commitment is that it may well cost the military more than it benefits them. In most specialties (MOS, AFSC, what have you), the first two years is largely spent training the individual, either at schools or on the job. While the experience would be valuable for the individual, I'm thinking the government would need a four-year commitment to make it worthwhile.

[Mop]

I actually wanted to go into the Navy or Coast guard when I was 16, but I had lots of problems already then - MD in the family history and knee problems. I probaly still would have tried to get in had it not been for the scholarship I got

[Diabolik]

The problem with a two year service commitment is that it may well cost the military more than it benefits them. In most specialties (MOS, AFSC, what have you), the first two years is largely spent training the individual, either at schools or on the job. While the experience would be valuable for the individual, I'm thinking the government would need a four-year commitment to make it worthwhile.

I think it would be a great benefit to the military in the long run. They would get the chance to dangle a few carrots in front of young potentials, 24/7, for one year. Also, a one year "trial run" of a candidate isn't a bad idea for the military. They can see if someone is worth training any further.

The year of specialized field work would make the populace of the US a bit more attractive to foreign investors wanting to base operations in this country, if those skills are transferable to civilian life (a LOT of it is). One of the motivators for picking the location of a factory is how educated the population is. More foreign investment would make up a pretty good chunk of the cost of that.

[Lyion]

You shouldn't get advanced training with a two year hitch. You should solely get basic training and head out to the fleet. Those who want advanced training should be required to sign an extension for 2 or 4 years.

[Arlos]

I have a sneaking suspicion that there are many soldiers in the active military that wouldn't want this to happen, if for no other reason than if they get into combat, at least now they know the guy next to them has volunteered to be there, whereas if someone is forced to be there, and is violently against the whole idea, who knows how they may react when it comes to getting shot at.

-Arlos

[xaoshaen]

You shouldn't get advanced training with a two year hitch. You should solely get basic training and head out to the fleet. Those who want advanced training should be required to sign an extension for 2 or 4 years.

I could see that working. Essentially make everyone a rifleman, or the service equivalent, for their first stint and offer specialized training if they reup.

[Diekan]

I'm not sure I support mandatory militiary service. One of the biggest contributing factors that make our military what it is, is that it's a completely voluntary force.

[xaoshaen]

I'm not sure I support mandatory militiary service. One of the biggest contributing factors that make our military what it is, is that it's a completely voluntary force.

With the last page of proposals, you're still talking about a volunteer force, you're just raising the stakes a bit. Given the absolute disdain many Americans hold their citizenship in, I wonder how many more applicants the military would actually get.

I do think it's important to offer qualifying civil as well as military service though.

[Lyion]

I'm not sure I support mandatory militiary service. One of the biggest contributing factors that make our military what it is, is that it's a completely voluntary force.

If we did a two year hitch of military service for all people graduating high school we could use many of these people on urban and federal projects just as we could use them for National Defense.

The main thing this would do is help society be more cohesive and people would definitely be more respectful of their citizenship.

I still would like to see the 'four' brances of the military merged into one.

[Diekan]

Well, for one, I don't think mandatory service is economically feasible.

The basic monthly pay rate for an E1 (Private / Airman / Seaman) is $1142.70 for less than two years of service. Now, after two years they get bumped up to $1235.10, basic pay per month. That's just basic pay... not including separate rations / BAQ for those that happen to be married, or get married while in.

How many kids do we (as a country total) have graduating high school every year? I spent a couple of minutes trying to google a number before giving up (fucking Internet is useless at times)... suppose it's around 5 million? During the first year we as taxpayers will be supporting 5 million new “troops” at $1142.70 a pop. After two years we'll be footing the bill for 5 million more new “troops” at $1142.70 plus the 5 million troops that are already in.

That comes out to what? $11,427,000,000 Eleven BILLION dollars a year JUST for the basic pay. Then we have to pay for the housing, medical expenses, training, equipment, food, utilities, uniforms, and everything that comes with service.

Now, I'm not quite sure what the actual number of people graduating from high school is every year – I'm sure it's probably not quite as high as 5 million – but you have to consider the costs of such a proposal. We already pay way to much in taxes as is. How much of a tax increase would something like this take? Or, more specifically, how much would the government claim they need to raise our taxes to support this idea?

[Lyion]

Since our fiscal 2005 DOD budget is 400+ Billion and it doesnt include any 'domestic' things like my suggestion, your price is just a drop in the bucket, Diekan.

[Tikker]

Jesus

I can't stop staring at the tits on the chick in Diekan's avatar

who is that?


(I can't stop looking at her tits long enough to try and recognize her face)

[Darcler]

Ms. Lohan, isnt it?

[Captain Insano]

What is your view on the draft? Are you for or against its existence?

Do you think a draft is coming, or could be coming in the near future?

Should women be drafted?

Are you worried about it?

EDIT: Good topic dangerpaul:
What are your views on a mandatory term of military service?

Is the draft coming... Yes eventually. The army missed its recruiting quota by 27 percent last quarter.

Women should be drafted, then televised as they get sprayed all over the battle field for not being able to hack it, so we have a good reason to kick them all out of the military permanently.

Not worried. Did my time.

I think its a great idea personally. Let all these faggots, liberals, tree-huggers and politician's kids get sent out to get fucked up and see how long the war lasts.

[Captain Insano]

Maybe when enough politician's kids and prom queens get splattered all over the place we can finally resort to nukes and introduce a "final solution" to the people of the middle east.

[Sentro]

Hey the draft would not be a bad thing, but making people join for 2years is even better. There are already lazy mother fuckers that are in the military i work with them every day. and as for women in combat units FUCK THAT, i trained with some women and just in training shooting blanks the girls "the best they seen" so said hte sgt's, then she heres the first shot and freaks out puting me in charge and now my units with out there leader, fine with me i could care less, but she just became extra body who if it was a real fire fight would have gotten alot of us killed not calling out hte commands she should have.

[Tadpole]

I can't wait until the draft...Cedric Benson in aqua plz

[Diekan]

wrong draft, fishface... speaking of which - you KNOW you wanted Bledsoe after we dumped his talentless ass.