Europe re-introducing the draft ...

[dogtag]

Oh yes, I remember it well.
It was called "The Call Up" in Britain and while I didn't
enjoy being jerked out of my nice civilian job at the time,
in retrospect I'm glad I did it. I didn't enjoy the bullxxxx,
but I got to travel, and made lots of friends (briefly).
Did me a lot of good as I'm sure it did for all who went
through the process.
Maybe it's time for a new draft here - a couple of years
being forced to take responsibility, or suffer some real
consequences might put some backbone into our youth
which could certainly do with it.

https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/The-military-draft-is-making-a-comeback-in-Europe-13320029.php

[barretcreek]

Generals don't want it. Charlie Rangel has been pushing for it since the day it was abolished, God bless him.

[sid]

Does anyone really believe that all of these Muslim immigrants will become loyal German soldiers?

[Vern Humphrey]

The problem is that Selective Service broke down. A young man who graduated from High School in 1958 had a very high chance of being drafted. Virtually everybody went, and there was no shooting war.

Ten years later, in 1968 the pool of manpower had grown so much, only a comparatively small percentage of young men were drafted -- and there WAS a shooting war. Those who were drafted regarded it as a great sacrifice (and it was) and as unfair (and it was.)

If we are going to draft again, we have to draft everyone. And that means over 30,000,000 men and women serving in the Armed Forces. How much will it cost to clothe, feed, house, equip and train them? And what will we get in return for that enormous outlay?

[dogtag]

The problem is that Selective Service broke down. A young man who graduated from High School in 1958 had a very high chance of being drafted. Virtually everybody went, and there was no shooting war.

Ten years later, in 1968 the pool of manpower had grown so much, only a comparatively small percentage of young men were drafted -- and there WAS a shooting war. Those who were drafted regarded it as a great sacrifice (and it was) and as unfair (and it was.)

If we are going to draft again, we have to draft everyone. And that means over 30,000,000 men and women serving in the Armed Forces. How much will it cost to clothe, feed, house, equip and train them? And what will we get in return for that enormous outlay?

Responsible people. Not a rabble smashing windows and looting.

[Roadkingtrax]

Responsible people. Not a rabble smashing windows and looting.

Those are the people you're trying to reform, are you not?

[Vern Humphrey]

Responsible people. Not a rabble smashing windows and looting.

We got riots and window smashing from the Draft in the '60s and '70s. The Draft was a CAUSE of unrest, not a preventative.

[dogtag]

We got riots and window smashing from the Draft in the '60s and '70s. The Draft was a CAUSE of unrest, not a preventative.

So you didn't gain anything from your service ?

[Major Tom]

So you didn't gain anything from your service ?

Not a damn thing! Lost 2 years of my life to serve as a lower life form. Wait! I did learn a lot about the black market from my Buffalo.NY mob inductees.

[dogtag]

Not a damn thing! Lost 2 years of my life to serve as a lower life form. Wait! I did learn a lot about the black market from my Buffalo.NY mob inductees.

Well, that sounds pretty bad. It must be terrible to have hated two years of your life.

[m1ashooter]

I strongly believe that part of our societies problems is the fact we did away with a peace time draft. Boot camped turns out responsible young people who learn how to follow instructions, show up to work etc. I've been a hiring manager for decades and its very hard to find squared away young people. All this being said the sad facts are and these numbers are pretty accurate is 75% of our Nations youth can't get through MEPS. They are either too stupid to pass the ASVAB, aren't HS graduates, have criminal records or can't pass the medical standards.

[Vern Humphrey]

And we can't afford the draft. And if we could, what would we do with such a huge Army?

I can remember when judges used to give young punks the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. I was a company commander in those days, and I longed to meet one of those judges in a dark alley!

The Army is NOT the nation's baby-sitter!

[S.A. Boggs]

And we can't afford the draft. And if we could, what would we do with such a huge Army?

I can remember when judges used to give young punks the choice of going to jail or joining the Army. I was a company commander in those days, and I longed to meet one of those judges in a dark alley!

The Army is NOT the nation's baby-sitter!

Back in 1969 had an idiot who was always playing games and the teachers got tired of dealing with him, cops were feed up as well. He was accused of being involved in a B&E, was given the choice of Army or Prison and the recruiter was glad to get him. Heard he did the same stupid stuff in basic and got the company much punishment because of him. As a replacement in the field, still stupid only this time was getting high on weed. He was "volunteered" to walk point and his name is on the wall.
Sam

[Vern Humphrey]

So you didn't gain anything from your service ?

You gain what you put into the service. The Army is not a social welfare organization.

I spent more time as a company commander dealing with misfits that some judge sent to the Army than any other of my duties.

[Roadkingtrax]

Back in 1969 had an idiot who was always playing games and the teachers got tired of dealing with him, cops were feed up as well. He was accused of being involved in a B&E, was given the choice of Army or Prison and the recruiter was glad to get him. Heard he did the same stupid stuff in basic and got the company much punishment because of him. As a replacement in the field, still stupid only this time was getting high on weed. He was "volunteered" to walk point and his name is on the wall.
Sam

Freedom isn't free. Remember that.