I was in the service from 1968-72 and we had no shortage of qualified troops back then. Of course, this was made possible by the draft.

Enlisted personnel at that time were an interesting mix of high school grads, college types, and some drop-outs from all over the US. This diversity of cultures and skill sets enriched the talent pool back then in ways that would benefit the armed services today. Most of the people I worked with, draftees and "lifers" alike, were highly motivated and committed to serving their country (as they are today).

Bring back the citizen soldier: reinstitute the draft! In addition to alleviating the recruitment problem, our policy makers might come up with more coherent and point directed solutions for dealing with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. If our young people were drafted into service, our government would be highly motivated to develop an exit strategy and bring the troops home. With professional forces at President Bush's disposal, I see no end in sight.

Personally, I would love to see the draft re-instated. I think its been too long, damn near 35 years.

As a more recent veteran, I see the value of serving the country. The hard part with re-instating the draft is the flak a politician would encounter not only from the young people who do not want to serve, but also from the parents who have no military experience. There's a huge gap in society regarding military service in this country, I read that maybe 10% of society has worn a uniform. To bring a draft back, it'd have to be done with an iron fist or not be done at all. Whoever takes command of this effort will take some against some SERIOUS resistence from those on colleges campuses, from clueless soccer moms, and from baby boomers who might suddenly find a new cause to come alive now that they're getting to the retirement age.

Its been thirty five years since the draft was removed as a staple in our society, to bring it back successfully it would take a generation for it to take hold and prosper. Most realize it was not just a factor related to Vietnam, it was a constant except for two years between 1941 and 1973. In a society that has becomes more sheltered and insulated from the outside world, the idea of a military draft that will force our men (not so sure women would be drafted, at least at first) out from their computers is a difficult thing more many to conceive.

So what is your argument? That the draft brings diversity to the military and a sense of civic responsibility to the public? Or that a draft would be a nifty way to institute political and policy change to something more inline with your opinions?

I agree with the idea that all people should serve this nation in one capacity or another, and it doesn't have to be the military. I disagree with using any kind of draft for political/policy means only. It's disingenous....to force others to serve so that they may feel as you do.

I couldn't agree more! I'm 25 and my husband is a Captain in the Army. He's also a Harvard grad. He thinks that the military has suffered because the "elite" often see themselves as above taking risks and serving in the military. (He's a big fan of AWOL: The Unexcused Absence of America's Upper Classes from Military Service -- and How It Hurts Our Country). Yet they are often the ones who end up making decisions about what the military does and how, without having an experienced clue about it. Reinstate the draft. Yes, there is risk involved, however small and however noble it may be to give the ultimate sacrifice, but having the experience of serving one's country not only adds value to an employee, but adds value to the lives of more than just the Soldier.