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U.S. not considering conscription: Officials deny reports Pentagon will reinstate military draft
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, November 2, 2001 | By Jon Dougherty

Posted on 11/01/2001 9:55:18 PM PST by JohnHuang2

WND
WAR ON TERROR
U.S. not considering conscription
Officials deny reports Pentagon will reinstate military draft


By Jon Dougherty
© 2001 WorldNetDaily.com

Reports that Washington is set to reinstate a military draft to augment forces currently assigned to wage the nation's war on terrorism are false, say officials with the nation's draft agency and the Pentagon.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the Selective Service System said, "No heightened measures have been undertaken to bring the nation closer to the re-establishment of conscription" following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S.

While "young men are reminded that they are required by existing federal law to register with Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday," the statement said, no calls for additional troops to be drafted are on the table.

In the meantime, the agency "remains in a standby, caretaker status."

"There is no consideration of ... (reinstating the draft) ... at this time, and from my conversations with the Pentagon, it's not something they anticipate," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters Sept. 19.

"(The draft) ... is not something that we've addressed, and it is not something that is immediately before us. At the moment, I do not foresee the need to do that," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said a week later.

To reinstate conscription takes an act of Congress, Selective Service officials say, pointing out that the U.S. has not had to draft soldiers since the Pentagon went to an "all-volunteer force" concept in 1973.

In 1980, in response to the Soviet Union's invasion of – ironically – Afghanistan, President Carter signed an order requiring young men reaching their 18th birthday to register for the draft with Selective Service.

Other than that, Pentagon officials say regardless of the mission required of the U.S. military – even during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the actions to drive Iraq from Kuwait in which a half-million U.S. personnel were mobilized – no draft has been needed.

But some analysts say a draft may be more likely now than in the past because Pentagon officials and the Bush administration have promised that the war against terrorism could last for years – a fact that may mean draftees will be needed to fill personnel gaps as the war widens in scope.

Also, analysts point to a report yesterday that the Pentagon may already be feeling the personnel pinch. According to Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke, officials told the White House two weeks ago that military chiefs may need to call up more than the original 50,000 reservists authorized by President Bush in September.

Clarke did not say how many more troops the Pentagon may need.

In explaining why more reservists might be needed, Pentagon officials said they are receiving more and more requests for security forces at federal locations and installations.

Gen. William Kernan, head of the U.S. Joint Forces Command, said yesterday he has considered "the full array of air defense systems" to protect some sites.

"Most recently, some of the things we looked at are some of the nuclear power plants, some of the other critical infrastructure that supports the national and state governments," he said, but did not elaborate.

So far, seven states have called up National Guard troops to watch over nuclear power plants. They are: New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, Kansas and Arkansas.

Nevertheless, a spokesman for the House Armed Services Committee told WorldNetDaily that there had been no discussion of reinstating conscription.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said an additional 515 Army reservists and Army National Guard members were called to active duty Wednesday as part of the partial mobilization authorized by Bush. Also, 208 more members of the Naval Reserve were called up yesterday.

The total number of forces called to active duty for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 13,931; Naval Reserve, 5,448; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 19,643; Marine Corps Reserve, 612; and the Coast Guard Reserve 2,450. The total Reserve and National Guard troops called to active duty is 41,392 from 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Almost all call-ups have been for troops to deploy in domestic defense and security roles.

For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.



TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/01/2001 9:55:18 PM PST by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
We need at least a National Service Corps. Draft both young men AND women for 18 mos. service helping with baggage checking, protecting bridges, tunels and borders. It is needed yesterday.
2 posted on 11/01/2001 10:01:23 PM PST by Diogenez
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To: JohnHuang2
What is the exact age group that would be drafted, if conscription was reinstated?
3 posted on 11/01/2001 10:02:23 PM PST by Freedom of Speech Wins
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To: Freedom of Speech Wins
The whole title of this article is misleading. The Pentagon has said repeatedly that there isn't even a consideration to reinstate the draft. The only "reports" are from reporters trying to create a story where there isn't one.
4 posted on 11/01/2001 10:06:29 PM PST by CWOJackson
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Freedom of Speech Wins
What is the exact age group that would be drafted, if conscription was reinstated?

During Vietnam, it was from 18 to 26. I don't know what it was, during WWII, and Korea (if any).

I do know that for Korea, reserves were called up. Many in the reserves during 1945 to 1952 had seen WWII combat. By the time of Korea, the reservists had families and careers (my father and father-in-law) and didn't relish going back in.

7 posted on 11/01/2001 10:16:51 PM PST by truth_seeker
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To: JohnHuang2
The headline alone makes it official. The military draft will be reinstated.
8 posted on 11/01/2001 10:34:35 PM PST by Havisham
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To: JohnHuang2
Good.WE need a professional force of people who want to be there.
9 posted on 11/01/2001 10:43:48 PM PST by GeronL
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To: Diogenez
That would make people hate the government... the government does not own its citizens. Thats an awful idea.
10 posted on 11/01/2001 10:44:34 PM PST by GeronL
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To: Diogenez
that's a good idea.
11 posted on 11/02/2001 12:20:45 AM PST by piasa
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To: Diogenez
Volunteer, yourself.

---max

13 posted on 11/02/2001 1:39:44 AM PST by max61
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To: CWOJackson
Well, they need to reinstate it, anyway. All Americans 18-24 should be subject to being called up, with the only exemptions being for religious or medical reasons (screw the college dodge). I'm 36, and one of the few vets of my generation. Generation X and Generation.com are screwed up because they never got any discipline at home, and have never been forced to live by any set of rules or values. A few weeks at Parris Island, Ft. Knox, Benning, Great Lakes, etc. might be just what they need to jerk their apathetic little a**es in line!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

14 posted on 11/02/2001 1:40:52 AM PST by wku man
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To: Freedom of Speech Wins
What is the exact age group that would be drafted, if conscription was reinstated?

It could be anything. The old rules are long gone, and the military could probably draw up whatever new plans they wanted, were the draft to be reinstated.

15 posted on 11/02/2001 1:44:56 AM PST by Timesink
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To: truth_seeker
truth...

WWII...18-39 Korea 18-26

16 posted on 11/02/2001 1:49:32 AM PST by cynicom
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To: GeronL
Right. Let the warriors fight.
17 posted on 11/02/2001 4:36:41 AM PST by Tory-Oxonian
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To: wku man
Excuse me?! That is a broad generalization. I can wipe my own a$$, thank you very much.
18 posted on 11/02/2001 4:39:45 AM PST by Tory-Oxonian
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To: JohnHuang2
Let's do it. I'm ready to go when called.
19 posted on 11/02/2001 4:59:16 AM PST by The Old Hoosier
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To: The Old Hoosier
I cannot believe anyone on this list advocates reinstituting conscription! People here rail on Bubba for suggesting that everyone be required to perform community service before college, but they advocate the draft? Both types of 'service' take two (or more) years out of an individuals life, against their will, at the behest of some government official. Both are serious abbrogations of individual rights, and are essentially slavery! You can say that military service is for the common good and is everyones patriotic duty, but that is the same argument the liberals make for community service. You cannot have your cake and eat it too! Be consistent, not hypocrits! Besides, wasn't it proven decisively in Vietnam that volunteer soldiers perform much better, and more willingly, than conscripts? I know you will ask, so, no, I have not ever served in the military (or in the Peace Corps). Flame away.
20 posted on 11/02/2001 5:25:31 AM PST by Careful
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