Thread: Why America Needs A Draft

The United States throughout its history has relied on citizen soldiers to fight its wars. A small permanent military was maintained and in times of crisis a draft was instituted to fill out the ranks. The Civil War, World Wars I & II, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts were all fought by draftees. Loyal Americans answered their governments call and bravely fought at its behest. Recent history has seen the weakening of this historical relationship between the people and their defense.
With the rise and predominance of the military industrial complex this time honored method of America going to war has fallen by the wayside. The companies that make their profits by supplying the military need a large permanent force to milk. Endless bloated contracts weaken the private sector and increase taxes. The Pentagon perpetuates this system to its own benefit, weakening the overall American economy as a result. For a long time this system was defended as necessary because of the threat from international Communism posed by the Soviet Union. With the collapse of the USSR this lie was exposed as the so called ‘peace benefit’ we were all promised never materialized. Troops were not brought home from Europe and the overly large nuclear arsenal was reduced only marginally. US troop strength should have been reduced and the savings passed on to the public.
The rise of a large permanent military has made possible the use of it as an instrument of policy instead of as a defense for the homeland. Congress’ abrogation of its role in the process, through passage of the War Powers Act has exacerbated this trend. The President now has authority to commit US forces unilaterally into ill advised conflicts. Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the present fiasco in Iraq have all been conducted without a formal declaration of war by the Congress. This has made the President a much more powerful CinC than envisioned by the Constitution.
Since Vietnam the military has sought to avoid civilian interference by promoting an all volunteer force. If the general public is not inconvenienced by the possibility of a draft the President has more freedom to use force as an instrument of policy. Since the Congress is unwilling to exercise its oversight role we end up with an imperial presidency able to engage in military adventures unimpeded.
If we were to institute a draft this trend would surely be reversed. The American public would be engaged and care deeply if the cost of war reached into middle class families. The democratic ideal of the citizen soldier would once again be ascendant The use of ‘security contractors’ to protect US interests overseas is a direct result of the refusal of the government to institute a draft. These mercenaries embarrass the US, they are not subject to local laws in the countries they are stationed in, neither are they subject to the UCMJ. The result is an extra-judicial Praetorian Guard that acts as they see fit with little or no formal oversight. Shame on the USA for this, our defense should be our responsibility. The resort to hired guns demeans US efforts. The recent use of these ‘security contractors’ inside the US is even more disturbing.
Let’s end these troubles by reinstating the draft. Following historical precedent will restore honor to our efforts in conflicts around the globe and share the burden equitably through society. Private contractors can be reduced, and or eliminated. Soldiers should replace contractors in chow hall kitchens and on the front lines. Bad policies that misuse our brave troops will not stand under the scrutiny they would undergo as a result. The War Powers Act should also be repealed and the congress forced to abide by its Constitutional duty to either declare war in conflicts or withdraw US forces. It’s not too late to turn America from this drift towards imperialism, but the time remaining for a turn around is short.