S-2

"...conscription would indeed solve both those problems (of course coming with its own price, too- as vietnam showed, both in quality and in terms of the burden the people is willing to carry)."

Wrong. It stands to reason that a greater pool of qualified infantrymen would become available. Plenty of smart, healthy 18-22 males all over America's campuses. Quality- Vietnam, Astralis, showed the impact of conscription system skewed against the poor and under-privileged. Who do you think are filling the ranks these days? Hardly the "full force of nat'l power".

I think that it's fair to suggest that a brighter recruit would learn more quickly and retain more thoroughly. Of course, Mommy and Daddy's little boy would likely have to be a "grunt".

You're correct to allude to the Vietnam experience "in terms of the burden the people is willing to carry".

They weren't and they aren't.

__________________
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski