Posted: Jul 4, 2008, 10:57 PM CST
I just read a string of comments to the thought that the US needs
to have the military draft again. Most...from both Democrat and Republican side...were positive for having the draft again.
I have mixed feelings here. Part of me says that today's military is one of technology and speed. That large masses of men and equipment (ala WWII) days are a part of history. That a reinstated darft to the level of even Vet Nam levels would mean some 15 million in the service. If to the level of WWII, you are looking at 20 million in uniform.
From our country of 300 million.
Those figures would have to give the middle eastern countries a real shock....when they consider what only 150,000 Americans are doing in Iraq today. But the reason they are doing this...is also because of these technologies.....and what is called force enhancers. Both force enhancers and military technologies require advanced training, high education and motivation to use well. There in lies problems to the draft.
Those figures would give Russia and China a real shock as well. Seeing American manpower in uniform in such numbers....would
cause them to rethink their own military force levels. Could kick off a
another cold war.
The arguements in the comments of this other string.....was America
needed the draft for:
1.Making better citizens
2.The danger and threats in the world and cause by GWB Iraq war
3.Our present forces are to small for the conflict
4.That you could add in other kind of service programs....peace corp,
vista, etc to add with the draftees to give them a choice of service.
Good arguements.
But here is the other side.
Even military ground units today are highly trained and technology oreinted in their operations, How do you bring that 15m men and women up to speed and technology curve that of these? And move to
the Air Force and Navy operations, the technology only increases.
The large number of draftees you have to place into training programs, to make them effective in the field. Costly, time consuming,
and facility needing.
Obviously, we only have so many tanks, advanced air craft and ships.
Many of these 15 million, become basic infantry. Do we need large number of infantry in a war on terror? Often countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan....is suppling them. I am not sure that there is a military role for say 10 million infantry. No role, why do it?
Even training the basic infantryman today is a expensive thing. And then paying his benefits and incentive packages......the price tag of our military just grew.
You have to feed, supply, cloth, medical treat, provide weapons and gear for this number of trainees. More cost. We spend some 3 b in Iraq per day now for the 150,00 deployed there. Add the cost of 10 million to the figure.
Like I said mixed feelings here. Putting an American Army of 10 million into Denmark...has a certain attraction to it. Putting an American Army of 1 million into Afghanistan, not such a high attraction. If we can win the GWOT with small numbers, I think is better. But your thoughts?