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Originally posted by DeltAlum
I agree with Mr. KR and others that a "professional military," backed up by Reserves and National Guard is the best way to go. That has been pretty well established since the draft ended.
However, I should point out that it wasn't the draft that tore "this country apart," but rather the Vietnam Conflict itself. The draft had been in place for many years and was considered a given. Granted that it allowed for gross inequities in who served and who didn't.
The fact that draft cards were burned was not really a demonstration against mandatory service as it was against the conflict.
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I would be very cautious about relying on the Reserves and National Guard. They are less effective, and in the current theater of operations in Iraq, the mortality rate of reservists, compared to full time personal, a few months ago, was about 500% greater. This was an eye opener. It is safe to assume that draftees will also be less effective, and rife with problems.
Also, I'm sorry if I implied that the draft was the sole reason for civil unrest in the US in the 60s. I do, however, believe that the level, and length, of tolerance for that conflict will not be repeated in my lifetime if a draft is in place. Especially if the disparity between who serves, and who doesn't is repeated.