[PzLdr]

By the time of Marius, the Roman Army went professional because:[a] it was now in the field for years at a time [by years I mean military campaigning seasons], [b] the disruption to the economic and political life were getting more and more disjointed, and [c] the manpower requirements of Roman policy required expanding the pool of potential recruits to citizens who did not have the economic means of support to sustain prolonged service in the legions.

I also served with RAs and draftees [not the all volunteer Army]. Found that individual soldiers of both were either outstanding, or not. I do recall that the all volunteer force pre-Reagan wasn't all that great from what I've read.

The only point I was trying to make about Sparta was that, like Prussia, it was an army wrapped in a country. It used the same phalanx as other Greek states, but it was a full time, professional army, no a hoplite militia.

[CatoRenasci]

I was on active duty thru '78 and, the post-nam force had its weaknesses. However, I have to say that one of the biggest problems were the remaining draftees, some of whom were still around in '76 and '77. 'Nam and its legacy really did a number on the Army, more than any other service. I would never want to be in a force like that again.