Since the other debate about Militarization sort of became skewed, I am creating a new debate about the militarization of America. This time, let's try and keep on topic about the debate. I understand that some people feel that we should not be in Iraq and others feel we should be in Iraq. But, let's just look at the current situation: with so many nations aiming against us, such as Iran, Syria, North Korea, to name a few, should the United States militarize and force a mandatory military conscription. Is the military capable of defending us on numerous fronts?
Well, I do not believe in a draft. But I have to say, if it was needed to defend ourselves, I would support it. But at the rate we're going, I see no need for one.
The idea that any nation other than Canada or Mexico would be capable of setting foot in the continental United States with any semblance of an organized military force is pure fantasy, at best. The US would not, regardless of any rhetoric flying around, be defending their sovereignty against any nation on the "Axis of Evil", the sick puppy that is Russia or "The Great Evil" that is China.
No nation currently on Earth possesses the capabilities to render the US Navy so ineffective as to not be able to stop an invasion fleet from crossing the Atlantic or Pacific oceans (from sea to shining sea grants you a fair amount of natural protection). China is currently unable to cross the Straight of Taiwan or Sea of Japan in any significant manner if they were even so inclined.
Politically - especially after Vietnam and current events - one whiff of the word "Draft" is going to make people run for the border. I seem to recall there being quite a huge fuss a while back on them there fancy newscasts. It was not anything major, only a rumour, but it certainly caused a stir.
No politician would so utterly destroy his own popularity.
At the moment I believe that the US Army (not counting National Guard, etc.) numbers around 500-600,000 soldiers. That is no small amount. They do not lack manpower, the only real problem in terms of manpower today is actual retention of personnel as far as I know. There are lots of people who either can't (due to injuries sustained, be they physical or mental) or won't extend their service period, and honestly I can't blame them. It's a [censored] job with little in the way of support from higher up.
It would simply not do any good to institute a draft, or even to pour more money into the bloated mess that is the American military/defense industry. Didn't the Cold War teach you guys anything?
I don't think it would do the country any good to have a mandatory service. The U.S., and other countries are probably looking for a more specialized soldier/marine/seaman/airman etc... The whole draft issue would pretty much [censored] a lot of things up and cause a [censored] load of problems. For the U.S. we don't really have a problem with the largest Air Force and Navy in the world...and the Army and Marines seem like they are going to be expanding.. Marines from what I know are going to be expanding from their current 180,000 full time to about 220,000...give or take a few. The Army is going to try and extend their size as well....and for the most part they're doing a pretty good job with it. All of them are making 100% of their recruitment goals, if not it's at least 90%...it goes that low when they suddenly spike the goal for the year.