by H D Dumas

Created on: May 27, 2007

I support our Nation's existing military but I do not support restoring the draft. Currently, it is my belief that our military strength is overextended and our country in dire need of new troops to help relieve soldiers serving in various combat areas. However, restoring the draft and thereby creating additional soldiers will not restore global peace or alleviate troop hardship but will instead simply enliven the possibility of increased conflict around the world. The U.S. government should begin by assessing it's global strategies and priorities rather than simply adding more troops and placing them in harm's way across our planet.

Let me begin by stating the draft has an unusual and often sordid history in our country. For example, the draft during the Civil war was a system of inequality where men with more money could buy their way out of the system. Poorer citizens did most of the fighting and suffered the most hardship. In World War I, the United States ended a period of isolationist tendencies and joined their European brethren in a conflict on the other side of the world. World War II brought out patriotic fervor because the conflict was easier to understand and the United States was an emerging world power. The draft system underwent changes during these historical periods.

However, World War II was followed by the Korean conflict and the realization that the military bureaucracy was severely flawed. At the time, the military was often segregated and poorly managed. The Korean conflict was followed by the tragic debacle of the Vietnam conflict/War that led to a severely divided nation and the end of the existing draft system. Who can forget the burning of draft cards or the anger at an unjust system that sent people into harm's way without military justification? The 1960's and early 1970's remains an era marked by the bitter conflict over this war.

But the beat goes on and the people of the United States began the experimental all volunteer army. Many politicians said the system would never last and that the return to the draft was just around the corner. Years passed and the volunteer army continued to serve the needs of the nation. The system remained flawed and the vast majority of the military recruits came from career families, self employed people, newly arrived immigrants or lower economic classes. Gays and women still faced discrimination on a daily basis. Still, the system worked well enough and many people have been given the opportunity to volunteer their skills and advance their education or begin new careers.

There have been several attempts to restore the draft. In fact, the American people will probably see another attempt to bring back the draft in the next year or so because we have a lame duck president who tends to favor the draft. President Bush does not have to worry about re election because he cannot run for a a third term. And our president recognizes the need for increased troop strength around the world. Unfortunately, President Bush does not seem to have a plan showing exactly how increased troop strength will benefit the long term needs of our country.

In conclusion, it is my belief that restoring the draft and thereby creating additional soldiers will not restore global peace but will instead simply enhance the possibility of increased conflict around the world. Also, any attempt at restoring the draft must address the ongoing concerns and issues with the current volunteer system. Hopefully, our Nation's leaders will recognize that restoring the draft does not equate to restoring peace. Rather, restoring the draft will simply benefit the goals of short sighted policies and strategies.

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