What use for drafted troops?

[Rumba]

Personally, I really think a draft is the last thing the administration wants. The political side knows it would be a PR disaster, and the military side really doesn't want soldiers who didn't want to join.

That said, if events force a draft, what do you think they would do with the troops?

Would they have all-volunteer battalions and all-draft battalions (probably a total disaster)?

Would drafted troops be sent to non-combat zones to free up volunteer troops for combat?

Would drafted troops, like the guard and reserve troops, be assigned garrison type duties in combat zones (aka "sitting duck duty")?

I really do believe the career military officers and generals believe volunteer troops are better from a morale and discipline point of view. Assuming that's the case, how would they deal with a draft?

[Career Prole]

1. They'll mix them in as troops rotate out just like Vietnam.

They won't segregate them.

[Ardee]

2. A disaster for the Administration

but a godsend for the military. Currently the armed forces are attempting to do the impossible with the few, the proud, the undermanned.

[Rumba]

4. Not so sure about the godsend part

I honestly believe that there's a lot of very intelligent and competent officers in the military who aren't at all keen on the idea of a bunch of draftees.

I don't mean the joint chiefs, although I suspect among them are those who also feel that way. I mean the mid- and upper-grade officers who have been in since Vietnam and have seen the differences in an all-volunteer army.

Of course, at some point you run out of options, if you've been handed an impossible mission.

[Ardee]

8. So what happened to the H ?

As one who participated in a 'drafted' armed forces ( as a volunteer...long story) I believe that the importance of manpower trumps that of having what you consider an elite force.

Once the bullets start flying, once you see your buddies shot to pieces, the "glamor" fades and there is no difference between the enlistees and the drafted.All just want to survive and get the hell home.

I do wholeheartedly agree with your assessment that Iraq is an impossible mission!

[NCN007]

11. as someone who will soon be there

and who like any JO really doesnt no his ass from a hole in the ground yet, I would rather be short a fireteam and have a platoon of guys who want to be there than be forced to deal with draftees who may hurt the morale of my unit. Not to mention making me worry about fragging. But ask me again in 2008.

[signmike]

3. Cannon fodder, point walkers, forward observers,

it doesn't have to make sense - nothing so far has, has it?

[SheilaT]

5. If enough young men and women

volunteer, there's no need for a draft.

If not enough volunteer, there will be a draft. It's as simple as that. Oh, and by "enough" I mean in sufficient numbers to fill whatever the current manpower needs the military has. It has almost nothing to do with whether or not the brass prefers an all-volunteer force. At the rate we're going, a draft is inevitable, although I'm not competent to set a timetable.

Where they're used, whether conscripts are mixed in with volunteers, has nothing at all to do with the underlying numbers issue. To get hung up on those details is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[Rumba]

6. I agree

just wondering aloud what career types who don't think a draft is a good idea would do with all the fresh meat.

[UnknownMan]

7. yup agree

[MidEastMan]

10. agree

[rebelskypirate]

9. Do not see the draft

I do not see the draft coming back, just doesnt really fit with the modern military model. Things are far different than the Vietnam days when we had to fight the Cold War AND the Nam....the military is much smaller (needs to be bigger like Kerry said)