Thread: Why America Needs A Draft

Originally Posted by HistoricalDavid

Trouble is, training an American soldier is expensive, whether or not he is conscripted; if you do it on the promise of one tour of someone who possibly doesn't want to be there, then that's a pretty poor investment. Three-tour people not only give a much greater return on the initial investment - military people, please excuse the economic terminology - they are also more effective soldiers, and you can never have too many experienced, cultured professionals in your Army, especially in a fight like Iraq where PR is important. Even if they don't return to fight in Iraq then they are still contractually obligated to serve for 8 years IIRC. Or was it five? I forget.

David,

Enlistment contracts range from 2-4 years.

Oops. Still, longer than what you could draft people, in a non-total-war situation like this, for.

So, I'm stuck in Denver at the moment, because our flight from San Francisco was delayed about 10 minutes too long to catch our connection to Louisville, Kentucky. We're on our way - the whole family - to see my oldest offspring and only son graduate from the Army's Cavalry Scout Course at Ft Knox.

And I said all that to say this: we're sitting in the USO in the Denver Airport. We're extremely comfortable; I'm on the Internet, my youngest daughter is sacked out in the sleeping room, my oldest daughter is playing on the Playstation 2, and my wife is reading books and magazines from the 'Take Anything You Want' rack. We have all the drinks and snacks we want for free, and if we need ANYthing, no matter what it is, the staff - all volunteers - will get it chop-chop, with a huge smile and a sincere question: "What else do you can I do for you?'

Shek's right: you want to see REAL support for the troops? We're awash in it right this minute. I love these people, and they love me and my family back.

Capt Bluesman just read this. She seconds me, and adds: there are five TVs, all flat screens (one of 'em is HUGE), the video game systems have all the accessories (driving wheels, joysticks, the latest titles), there are a dozen Internet terminals AND free wi-fi, the furniture is leather and nice wood, the place is immaculate, the security is so good that you can leave your laptop in the cubbies and go to sleep for an hour, and it'll still be there.

THIS is how one 'supports the troops', and the volunteers in here WORK, they don't just show up and kill time.

Impressive, and because of the subject matter in the thread at the moment, I just had to write about it.

Oh, and here's ANOTHER way to do your bit, one that I'm supporting personally: giwoodshop.com

I am sending a few gift cards to an old worn-out retired Vietnamese linguist (my first job in the Air Force, and my worst ) that's heading up the project. His little brother is near Taji, an Army Sergeant First Class. They're doing some amazing things for themselves and the base (not hobby stuff, either, but things they actually need, like weapons racks, desks, chairs, etc) with the stuff from this project. Check 'em out, and if you're of a mind to REALLY support the troops, keep the magnet on the car for sure, but do something that actually helps 'em, too.

Oh, and NO DRAFT.

Originally Posted by HistoricalDavid

Trouble is, training an American soldier is expensive, whether or not he is conscripted; if you do it on the promise of one tour of someone who possibly doesn't want to be there, then that's a pretty poor investment. Three-tour people not only give a much greater return on the initial investment - military people, please excuse the economic terminology - they are also more effective soldiers, and you can never have too many experienced, cultured professionals in your Army, especially in a fight like Iraq where PR is important. Even if they don't return to fight in Iraq then they are still contractually obligated to serve for 8 years IIRC. Or was it five? I forget.

What about 0 tour? just 12 months of bootcamp.

Originally Posted by Feanor

What about 0 tour? just 12 months of bootcamp.

Still comes back to money.

It's expensive to clothe, feed, house, and yell at kids who really don't want to be there. Someone has to pay for all those things. Then you'll have drill instructors who could have been better utilized at training soldiers who actually will deploy.

It wouldn't be so bad if the money comes out of Department of Health and Human Services. At least that way the money goes to this meaningless venture instead of other meaningless ventures like welfare. But that won't happen. The money will come out of Pentagon's budget. We'll have fewer F-22s and Burkes to have this federal fat camp.

Originally Posted by gunnut

Still comes back to money.

It's expensive to clothe, feed, house, and yell at kids who really don't want to be there. Someone has to pay for all those things. Then you'll have drill instructors who could have been better utilized at training soldiers who actually will deploy.

It wouldn't be so bad if the money comes out of Department of Health and Human Services. At least that way the money goes to this meaningless venture instead of other meaningless ventures like welfare. But that won't happen. The money will come out of Pentagon's budget. We'll have fewer F-22s and Burkes to have this federal fat camp.

Make it come out of the department of education budget.

Originally Posted by Feanor

Make it come out of the department of education budget.

Oooh...if we can't get it abolished, we should make it do less harm. I like that.