After watching the film A Volunteer Army or the Draft?, you are hopefully thinking a little deeper about the issue. I tried to make the connection in class between military service and sacrifice. Certainly most would agree that those that volunteer to serve in our armed forces are making significant sacrifices. So to are their families.
If the coast of freedom must be paid by those willing to sacrifice - to pay the ultimate price - than what obligation does the rest of society have to pitch in and contribute to the cause of securing that freedom? Does citizenship in our country require - if not legally, than morally - some measure of sacrifice?
We talked about society's that have required military service as a condition of citizenship. Should the United States hold its citizens to a similar standard? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of compulsory military service? Think beyond personal advantages and disadvantages. Consider the impact on society as a whole - positive or negative.
Finally, what level of sacrifice would you be willing to endure? What price are you willing to pay to secure the standard of living enjoyed by most Americans?
Remember, keep comments relevant. Keep the debate civil. And, most importantly, have fun!!
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War. What we know is only what we think we believe by what others told us about it. No one can really talk about being on a battle field, seeing some of your comrads fall and never resurface than the people who are there in the first place. Should America have a draft and make its citizen participate in wars when needed? I Think the question is who would do it without a second thought? Imgaine the courage it must take when that father of two goes up to regisration office, getting that letter of acceptance two months later taking his leave to never see his children and wife until who knows when. I think that just in general we need to stop looking at self needs and need to think as a whole. In my response to this i think that we should not have a draft. What good would that be? Sure we would have men but if they didnt want to be there, what good would that do? Would they have the fire in their eyes on the field while distroying their opponet for their nation? I think not.
I think that drafting people isn't right. people should be able to choose to go to war or to not go to war. I mean yea we would have people to fight for us but like Amanda sayed what good would it do to have people fight in war that didn't want to be there. they wouldn't fight as hard as people that really want to fight. America is supposed to be a free country. the citizens are supposed to make there own choices and being forced to go to war isn't being able to make your own choices. People that volunteer to go to war do sacrifice and give up alot. but people that are drafted have to give up alot no choice about it. I also agree with Amanda on we should stop thinking only about ourselves. but that doesn't mean that you have to go to war.
Hello ffrom E period! Wow you guys just said what i didn't think about. I think drafting is telling what could be future researchers curing cancer to go KILL themselves! i mean thats just NOT right man not right
Since the "heathen" attacks of 9/11 there have been many changes in society. Water bottles and shampoo have been prohibited from airports, 2 giant towers were brought down, and we have begun a war on terror. And in this war on terror people have died, over 5,000 people. This attack built a field, and if you build it they will come. THEY being the americans, we being the americans have gone and risked our lives with not only princes on our sides, but civilians of Australia, Europe, North and South America. But with these people and volunteers comes death, death always follows. We being Loyal AMERICANS should no the basic build up of our society. This begins with natural rights (e.x. murder, theft, streaking) but the government deducts these rights of which we are born with. And our government ceases to deduct any further. Our forefathers and there descendants created a nation knowing that the human race can be trusted in making the right decisions. The right decisions knowing what you want to do with your life. If your want to be a mass murderer and live your life in jail, if you want to be a soldier who wants to protect there country, or if you want to be a civilian of which you are proud to have your rights of your life. No-one can tell you different. Our country was built by the people and like the movie said we should only require drafting into an unwanted industry in dire need. There s more than enough people in this country that would give up their lives for the country. ANd if we ned more people we can suggest the Criminal Justice in Warfare Program, or a program that can send those with life selectness to serve in our military. They can do the jobs such as mail distribution, monitored and unloaded weapon distribution, and mine bomb searches. If we ever need people they will come. We will be loyal to our country and to send everyone overseas wont help of economy. IF YOU TOUCH US... WE WILL CREATIVELY FIND A WAY TO TORTURE YOU BACK!
USAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA USA
I think that USA shouldn't hold their citizens to required military service because if you don't want to be there than there is no point in going and doing a half-crap of a job. The advantages of making everyone do a certain amount of military service is that there would be enough people. The disadvantages are that people will go because they have to. The soldiers that do want to protect our country don't want to work with the people that don't want to be there. Yes, I think that we need to think of others'needs before ours because we are taking advantage of the people that are fighting for our daily lives. The impact on society as a whole would be a negative because a lot of people don't want to be in the military because they do not want to sacrifice their lives. I am willing to sacrifice my life but I don't know whether I have the guts to go into the war but if I had to I would so others can live just as I am. I think that they should stay with the all volunteer army because that way people have the choice to go in the army or not and that is the whole point of living in America. With an all volunteer army people that want to serve for our country can go and work with other people that want to do the same. I also think that we should have a draft in case of dire need because if we don't have enough troops than we are in danger in the USA also. This is my point of view on this subject and if i got picked to go to war and i didn't want to then I would go to Australia.
Ummm Darin you need to backup, my comment was the bomb!
I completely agree with you Amanda. I mean, if we did have a draft filled with people who didn't know what they were doing and didn't want to be there, what good would it do? None. An army is only a good army if the people fighting are doing what they love. or doing what they want. Think about it, if we had a draft, would they take women and older teens too? If I had an older sibling, who died in a war, I would never be able to get over it. Or even if my mom or dad was drafted, what would I do if they didn't make it home? Or, if I was drafted, and I had to experience something like that... it's not right. Our army should be all-voluntary. Only in a desperate time of need should we resort to a draft.
Drafting...what would it mean for most americans? Some of us slap are buddies on the back and laugh that the government would never do such a thing. But really they can. Others that wouldn't want to face the problem would be in timbucktu by the time they got the letter for serving our country. The young souls that look at that letter and show up to that field ready to learn and guard are country are truly amazing. They are going to risk their life to let US keep on doing what we do, from watching tv to going to the movies, while being protected. To me its unimaginable, people don't realize what happens to some of those soldiers. How they change when they hopefully come back to us. They go through a change, emotionally and sometimes physically. There is only one to live on this planet, and when its gone its gone.
God Bless the soldiers
dang amanda you write alot my small brain can't even process that info!!!!!!!
-holas from Chorus buddy
I think that the society needs to have an obligation to at least send cookies or something to the troops. probably it would be easier to just send money, but whatever. i think that it should NOT be required to serve in the military. that would get people to start disliking the government and start those protests again. i mean, this is a free country right? Well let's keep it that way!! We do make some kind of sacrifice already, no matter how small, just to follow the laws of government. If we drafted, people might desert i the middle of the war. That wouldn't be good!! And Amanda, I totally agree with you when your talking about the father and his kids and all.
WOW! Emma you wrote a LOT!!
I think that we should remain an all volenteer army because unless it gets soooo out of hand that we actuallly need to draft because if we have people who do not want to fight and are not phyisically and mentally qualified to fight then they will just bring our army forces down!!!
that was morgan matthews by the way!!!
I think that everyone in America should give something back to the country it doesn't have to be by joining the army but you should give them money even if they aren't fighting with something you agree with. I don't think we should make everyone have to go into the army because they would probably go into the army at 18 and then they would have to start college late if they survive and all their dreams would be crushed. Having a draft would have some advantages for instance you would have plenty of troops but it would also have disadvantages like riots and the fact that some people wouldn't want to be there and probably would be terrible in the service. I for one wouldn't be able to go into the army and kill a bunch of people for no reason like in Iraq.
I think that we should have a choice if we want to go serve in any war. I agree with mostly everybody on this one, well so far. People who are in the army want to work with other people who have the mind, skill, and strength to support and fight for their country. Our army doesn't need people fighting that don't want to be there, and only thinking for themselves. People need to think of what they are doing for their country when they are out in Iraq or Afganistan. We should stay with an all volunteer army, until we are in need to start the draft. My brother (Clayton) might go into the army, or something that helps keep America safe. He thinks that thats a good way to help his country. I would be scared to death if my only brother was in a war. But that is his choice and we need more people to get out there and fight! Most of my family has fought in a war. My grandpa was in the flying tigers and was killed flying a plane in the air force. My cousin is in the marines and he likes what hes doing for our country.
People die everyday for us. They are the ones that let us be able to go out in public and hang out with friends. If we started another war and we had to start the draft again I would be proud to serve my country.
The cost of freedom is at an all time high (like gas a few months ago). Everyone should pay, but not nessacarily through fighting. Not everyone would be good at it. Some people could donate money toward war efforts. Or give to the troops. It should be a requirement to do something for the war effort. I honestly would be no good at shooting. I'm sure the same goes for other people. I also believe that women should have the same requirements that men do.
Darin we only need to draft if its necessary its not right now!!!!!!!!
If we did have a draft right now my daddy might go over NOW!! don't be hating on Amanda because her head is bigger, she's smarter and sorta has more common sence!!!
I'd like to start off by saying that, as Americans, we just don't care or think about those serving their time in the military. You probably do if your family is involved in the war, but without a connection to the war, people just don't care. Why don't we care about the people risking their lives so that we can have one? Why don't we care about those who are protecting our rights, knowing that they might die? A volunteer army has given us the right not to care, but we can learn to care.
The rest of society should pitch in. They shouldn't consider it or think about it, they HAVE to pitch in. That's the only way to show our troops that we care and that we are so blessed to have them. Citizens could donate money, send care packages, write to soldiers thanking them for their work, and list goes on. Families of troops write to them, call them, send them videos, anything they can to let them know they love them. Why can't we do the same? Is it too much to ask, that you sit down for a few minutes and write to a soldier that's risking their life for your's? Citizen in our country should require some measure of sacrifice. Our troops are sacrificing their lives for ours, so we should sacrifice some money or paper and ink.
However, I don't feel that military service should be required of citizens. A mandatory military service would lead to rebellion, chaos, and unhappy Americans. No one wants to be forced into war. Brothers, fathers, uncles, friends, if they were forced to join the war, wouldn't you get defensive and angry? But, an advantage of mandatory military service is compasion. Compassion for people being forced into war. Compassion for friends, neighbors and strangers. Compassion for a country being thrown into war. An entire country joining together for the compassion of others. In my opinion, that's what America is all about. This would be a deffinate positive for society. Everyone would settle their differences to protect what's right.
I'm going to admit, I wouldn't be willing to risk my life for somebody else. The thought of war, violence, guns, bombs, and a soldier dieing in pain sends a chill down my back. That just means that war isn't for me. One day I may feel I want to serve my country at war, but for now, I'm just a kid. I am willing to do whatever I can to let the troops know that I care.
I feel that we Americans live beautifuls lives. You may not feel that way, but I do. America is the country of freedom and diversity. We go through our lives not thinking of others, and how I wish so badly that would change. Our troops are protecting our freedom, our rights, our LIVES, while risking their own. So that's why I say, God bless America.
Oh and I'm from A period!
(My first comment is 493 words!)
Well as usual Amanda pretty much explained completely what i think. I believe that the country should not require for you to serve for the military. But if you want by all means you have my heart cause thats about as brave as it gets. And the draft... definitely not. Why would you want somebody on the military who doesnt have the courage, brains, or strength to do anything on the battlefield. Millions of mothers and fathers may find an army comander knocking on there door with the most dreaded news anybody could ever ask for. That there child had been killed on the feild. I witnessed a military funeral for the Daniel Chaires when i was in fifth grade. I remember seeing his mother in complete tears and nobody wants that.
Sorry i didn't mean to do double.
Just to let everyone know that if a draft was instituted my daddy would already be on his way to war, he probably would be fighting right now.
i agree 100% with amanda and jentry. I believe that only people who want to make the sacrifice and take on the role of a soldier should inlist or be in the army. No one should be forced to join or feel guilty for making their own decisions. I will always support and incourage someone to fight for our country, but if we had just anyone in the army unprepared mentally and physically then that only gives us a dis-advantage. I don't think a draft is a smart choice right now and i don't think it should be done unless absolutley needed.
ya its me again and it seems like nobody else has the guts to vote on the draft. the closest that yall have goten is to say "we should only institute the draft if we absolouly have to. come on yal. why are yal so scared to go away and fight for the most powerful county in the world, your own homeland that is only being halted from invasion only because we have kept the enemy at bay!but anyways if you are too frightened by the idea of killimn men who follow mass murderers then goin your national guard. that way, if you do get drafted then you won't have to go anywhere. because technically you will already be joined in the militia. ok. the only thing that i have goin for against the draft is what dylan said. if you do get drafted at 18 and it ruins your chance of a certain colledge then that sucks. but in many schools it will only increase your chances of acception. if they see that you have military experience it shows that you have determination, bravery, ambition, dicipline, and experience. noy to mention a pention.
Ok so no one has the guts to read my blog? C'mon its REALLLY good (not to brag) but it's got some pretty darn good points.
Deffinatly got to disagree with Darin. Draft = bad idea. But the only good thing, IS MENTIONED IN MY BLOG!!!
people need the right to choose if they really want to leave everything they have behind and go risk their lived for our country. if we draft those are men who don't want to be there and could be doing better things. if there aren't enough men and we are not being attacked directly then what is the use of forcing people to fight. the people drafted are people who wanted to serve their country in a different way than being involved in physical combat. the fact that we are not forced to fight in war (usually) is what makes us different from other counties. as the people in he video said nobody who chose to risk their life to fight for their country wants someone who isn't mature enough mentally to handle being in the army or someone who is not physically ready to fight to be standing next to them. if they forced everyone to serve in the army some how then draftees should be allowed to have a job that does not require leaving you life behind and traveling to another country with less than perfect living conditions and to pretty much fend for them selves while trying to avoid being bombed to bits.is having an ample supply of men really worth everything it costs the countries and individuals all over the world? our country loses billions of dollars a day on war while families lose parents, siblings, and grandparents as well as friends and their families. people in other countries lose the lives of innocent bystanders and soldiers. war affects everyone.
A agree with Darin cause he has a good point that by restating the draft we could have more troops and finnaly hunt down those camel riding terrorists and kill them ones and fro all. However, like Amanda said, people don't want to have to relie on someone that is to afraid to back them up just cause they are afraid to take a bullet for their country. If it was up to me I would tie a bomb around me and press the trigger even if it meant I saved just 1 life. People need to stop sitting on their couches and get off their lazy butts and consider joining the army because others won't be there forever to give thier lives just so you can go to bed at night feeling save. I bet you guys don't even think about how good you got it here. Just wait till its all gone all because some stupid terrorist that you were to afraid to chase after...
A agree with Darin cause he has a good point that by restating the draft we could have more troops and finnaly hunt down those camel riding terrorists and kill them ones and fro all. However, like Amanda said, people don't want to have to relie on someone that is to afraid to back them up just cause they are afraid to take a bullet for their country. If it was up to me I would tie a bomb around me and press the trigger even if it meant I saved just 1 life. People need to stop sitting on their couches and get off their lazy butts and consider joining the army because others won't be there forever to give thier lives just so you can go to bed at night feeling save. I bet you guys don't even think about how good you got it here. Just wait till its all gone all because some stupid terrorist that you were to afraid to chase after...
A agree with Darin cause he has a good point that by restating the draft we could have more troops and finnaly hunt down those camel riding terrorists and kill them ones and for all. However, like Amanda said, people don't want to have to relie on someone that is to afraid to back them up just cause they are afraid to take a bullet for their country. If it was up to me I would tie a bomb around me and press the trigger even if it meant I saved just 1 life. People need to stop sitting on their couches and get off their lazy butts and consider joining the army because others won't be there forever to give their lives just so you can go to bed at night feeling save. I bet you guys don't even think about how good you got it here. Just wait till its all gone all because some stupid terrorist that you were to afraid to chase after...
Darin i see your point in the matter of having a draft, but i don't think you should call b period "wimps" as you put it. Just because some of us think that we should have an all volunteer force. Answer these questions for me. One, what good would it do if we had enough men, but only one or two were good in combat and really wanted to be there, and the rest didn't? Two, think about how you would feel at the age of 18 opening that letter telling you to report at an army base in a couple of weeks? Think about that!
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