<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: meowbunny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The joys of no draft. Of course, I remember the days when boys were given the option -- military or jail. Then it was a peacetime military and these kids weren't wanted. Now, the Army is desperate for recruits. Personally, I think it is a good thing. For a lot of youths, the discipline in the military is the best thing that could happen to them. Can't say I'm thrilled that they are basically considered cannon fodder but it really is the only chance some of them will have to succeed in life. </div></div>
Okay, I have to weigh in here. Today's military is not the same as 20 years ago when it was "jail or boot camp" for many young offenders. I went to boot camp with several such folks in the VERY early 80's, and they weren't in the right place. Maybe better than jail, but not better for them - or the folks they would eventually be fighting next to.
These days, the military has dramatically changed from the Cold War days when I served. Big, huge armies clashing in the Fulga gap, while hordes of fighters shot it out in the sky. Cannon fodder indeed; would have worked out fine back then. However, today's ground troops fight a different war. Small unit tactics are the most common types used in modern warfare. In such groups, the idea of unit cohesion is paramount. That means that every member of the small team must be well trained, well disciplined, and committed to both the mission and to his/her unit.
While I'm sure many felons and offenders deserve a second chance, and would make the most of a second chance, the unbiased fact is that folks who pick boot camp over jail usually don't have what it takes to function in such units. And if they don't work out, it usually means the whole unit fails, and people die.
It's that simple.
Agree with the war or don't, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that the young men and women fighting our two wars are volunteers, and chose that life. No matter how poor the recruiting efforts become, there isn't much of a place anywhere in today's military for people who chose that over a 6x8 concrete cell and a guy named Bubba next door who thinks you're mitey purty.
For the same reason, I don't think a draft will work anymore, either. The US military has shifted to a high-tech, high-mobility fighting doctrine that relies on significantly fewer committed, well-trained and disciplined members to dish more [edited by adm] now than 10 times the people could deliver back in "my day". If you want hordes of bullet stoppers that overwhelm by sheer numbers, bring back the draft and empty out the prisons. Otherwise, treat the military members like the professionals they are, and give them the benefits and opportunities to do their jobs well, and with both dignity and fair pay.
After all, you get what you pay for.
Just my two cents.
Mikey
PS: for anyone who's trying to figure out my "political" persuasion, try this on: I was proud to serve under President Ronnie Ray-gun, thought the "Contract with America" was the best thing since sliced bread (at the time), yet I voted for Clinton (the second time) and Kerry. Go figure....
:smile: