[Fai Mao]

I have forgotten who said that “All armies are either mercenaries or slaves and history shows that mercenaries make better soldiers”

The only time a draft makes sense to me is in a situation like WW2 where the problem is too many men are volunteering and height, weight and health requirements are used to weed out those physically unfit for service.

[riverdawg]

“The only time a draft makes sense to me is in a situation like WW2 where the problem is too many men are volunteering ...”

Yes; many people don’t know that the Selective Service Act of 1940 was enacted to keep people with critical skills (farmers, machinists, etc.) out of the military. It was only later in the war that the demand for soldiers and Marines exceeded the supply of volunteers, because of mounting casualties.

[Buttons12]

I have forgotten who said that “All armies are either mercenaries or slaves and history shows that mercenaries make better soldiers”

Sure wasn't Machiavelli, who had a low opinion of mercenaries as soldiers. Also, there can be overlap, no?