Night Elf Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I don't know if this is considered political. Can the U.S. draft ever be reinstated? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Yes it can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Yes. Though I think warfare has changed in such a manner that massive numbers of cannon fodder troops are no longer advantageous. Course I'd prefer to avoid war altogether. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share Posted November 9, 2016 Rats. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 It's up to the Senate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Yes. Though I think warfare has changed in such a manner that massive numbers of cannon fodder troops are no longer advantageous. Agreed. But, (and I know this is unpopular), I think that a, say, two year universal service requirement, where you could choose from many different kinds of service: military, peace corps, Americorps, civil conservation corps, teach for america, etc. would be a good idea. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Of course, That's why they make folks register for it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Yes it can but it's unlikely that it will. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 (edited) Agreed. But, (and I know this is unpopular), I think that a, say, two year universal service requirement, where you could choose from many different kinds of service: military, peace corps, Americorps, civil conservation corps, teach for america, etc. would be a good idea. A lot a countries that used to have such a requirement have dropped it, seems it is extremely expensive and not very efficient. I'd be in favor of such a program as a voluntary, safe way for young adults to get out into the world and gain some experience and skills. People doing mandated stuff tend to be lackluster in motivation. Edited November 9, 2016 by maize 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 (edited) Of course it can. But a voluntary military is the best choice for a number of reasons and it is unlikely to be utilized short of a response to a massive physical attack on America. Trump's vague plan for ramping up the military has never st any point included mandatory service and he has actually gotten specific about refusing excess foreign engagement over and over again since the primary, so that combined with what we know of Congress makes it a very unlikely outcome. Anything could happen with any president, but this is low on the reality list given the confluence of factors and not the least of which is that he seems to understand that soft pressure can be more effective than hard pressure for achieving policy goals, provided you have enough hard pressure to make your bargaining position persuasive (that is a page straight out of Reagan's playbook and one of the reasons he wants to ramp up the standing military). Those are my best guesses, from what I know of him and the situation as it stands. I'm completely unworried about my sons and daughters coming up for selective service at this juncture. Edited November 9, 2016 by Arctic Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I believe that there is a requirement for Males, when they turn 18, if they are U.S. Citizens or Legal Residents, to register for the Draft. I do not believe they have drafted anyone for many years. Those who are in the U.S. Armed Forces now have all volunteered to join and to serve. To answer your question, I believe the answer is they could draft people, today, without changing any law(s). We live in Colombia, but I think if I looked on the web site of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, they would have something about registering for the Draft on their web site. (I am so old that I was subject to the Draft when I turned 18, and I did not want to be drafted, so I joined....) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I believe that there is a requirement for Males, when they turn 18, if they are U.S. Citizens or Legal Residents, to register for the Draft. I do not believe they have drafted anyone for many years. Those who are in the U.S. Armed Forces now have all volunteered to join and to serve. To answer your question, I believe the answer is they could draft people, today, without changing any law(s). Starting in 2018, Females will also have to register: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/us/politics/congress-women-military-draft.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Starting in 2018, Females will also have to register: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/us/politics/congress-women-military-draft.html I don't think that's passed both the House and Senate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Yes, but it is unlikely to happen. I think I've recommended this book before, but America's Army, by Beth Bailey, is a scholarly but very accessible and completely fascinating history of the (painful) shift to an All-Volunteer Military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 If it didn't happen after 9/11 when we were fighting two pretty major wars, I don't think it'll ever be reinstated. I mean, things can always change, but it seems extremely unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 It would be so fittingly ironic if a draft dodger president managed to get the draft back. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 I don't think that's passed both the House and Senate. No, not law yet. It's still being talked about though: http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/08/congress-require-women-register-draft.html. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 I don't think that's passed both the House and Senate. Oh GOod! I'd heard about the House talking about it earlier so thought this was the second part voting. (I've got a niece turning 18 next year) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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