[Wayne07]

The ideal economic (not moral) scenario is other countries fighting a war, using our industrial capacity to build the the capacity.

If you fight your own war, then any economic effect is just wealth transfer or additional debt. Just look at Iraq/Afghanistan. Not good economically.

[RexBeach]

When WW2 began, America had the 16th largest army in the world.

Not true with an all volunteer force.

We had to grow rapidly in 1941, and it did have a great impact on the economy.

Thanks for the post.