The draft as a deterrent: David Hackworth believes most Americans too disconnected from war

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | Col. David Hackworth

[429CJ]

"Ah, the voice of inexperience. Another internet nobody steps up to dis a highly decorated vet. Very Clintonian!"

Ah, the voice of a nitwit.

If you didn't serve in the military you don't have any right to comment on anything military.

[429CJ]

forgot to add the sarcasm thingie

[shhrubbery!]

Have you heard Sean Hannity parody Hackworth's fruity voice? "Hiiii Haaaaaaaak." He does it right to his face. Too funny.

[dighton]

Reincarnated, I suspect.

[FreePaul]

I remember some wars fought by draftees. They were supported by most Americans. Hackworth needs to study history instead of trying to manufacture it. I thought the he was OK when he first started talking in public. The more he opens his mouth the more he convinces me that he talks only to get his name in print.

[AmishDude]

It's all too easy to send military forces into battle when they're composed of somebody elses children.

What did they think when they signed up? "Gee, I really like making beds and polishing boots, this looks like a good career option."

[Gritty]

We haven't seen Hack around for a while.

No doubt we'll see him featured at the next A.N.S.W.E.R rally!

[L,TOWM]

What do you think its previous incarnation was? Arrived in this habitat 2/18/03, and dropping democratium spoor since, based on the specimens your post directed us towards.

This species is too common for the FRepa to worry about; I recommend that it be turned into Purina Nordic Kitten Chow(tm).

[dighton]

Beats me. Disruptor genericus plain-vanillus. Viking-kitten chow, as you said, not caviar.

[jordan8]

Reading an interesting book - After Tet: The Bloodiest Year in Vietnam. I don't have it at hand but it discussed the draft during the Vietnam era and made the point that the Army was already considering eliminating the draft in 1964, because there were far too many young men turning 18. There were about 1.1 million males who turned 18 in 1958. That figure rose to 1.7 million by '67, and to 2 million by the early '70's. This was far more than was needed before Vietnam so the Army responded by raising the enlistment standards and loosening the draft deferment standards. They drafted 120,000 in 1965 (the last year of "peace" in that era) and had plans to increase the draft by only 15,000 the next year, that is to 135,000 in '66 (Vietnam saw these figures more than double to 300-350,000. And it should be kept in mind that many enlisted rather than be drafted thus lessening the number needed for the draft). In the late 50's about 88% of those men who passed the physical and mental requirements for military service served in the military, but that figure had dropped by the mid-sixties to 65% for reasons stated above. If a draft were started today the figure would be at least 3.5 to 4 million for males turning 18 and doubled if females were included (which would be inevitable in this barbaric era). 8 million people drafted every year, what would they do with them all?

[KeyWest]

I have served with draftees and all volunteer and I stick by my comments. The least trained, namely the ones you are not going to pour much money into, will be the draftees. I liked having them around to keep some perspective. But I would rather have a professional by my side when the bullets are flying.

[EveningStar]

Most recruits in the AVF come from non-vocal, working-class families – a disproportionate number from the poor and from minority groups – while more privileged Americans are conspicuous by their absence. For example, the Congress that voted overwhelmingly for the military solution against Iraq includes only one member with a son who's an enlisted grunt. The rest, like the majority of Americans since the draft went south, no longer share directly in the sacrifice that comes with sending our youth to face the dragon.

The poor join up because the job prospects on the outside are marginal. By going into the military, they learn a skill, gain the benefits of the GI Bill and get a better shot at the American dream.

Meanwhile, teens from families with political punch – read: cash and /or clout – are safely bunkered down at universities out of harm's way. And when asked: "Should we 'do' Iraq?" their answer is often a roaring "Yes!" But ask those same young aristo-hawks: "Will you go and fight?" and rarely does a Tommy Hilfiger-clad arm shoot up. When it comes to blood sports, they don't need to be taught that the spectators have it cushier than the gladiators.

Just as if all Americans knew their kids would likely serve dead-center on the killing fields, there'd be far sharper focus on how our politicians are voting and a lot more calls for caution and careful consideration before we got out there in the sand and slapped leather. For sure, the draft would give us 20/20 vigilance.

Here we go with the class envy crap. Hack and Michael Moore - together.