Claremont Colleges Debate Outreach – [email protected]
The United States should have a draft for military service
Key Terms Sources Draft How the U.S. Draft Works Conscription http://people.howstuffworks.com/us-draft.htm Socio-economic Class BBC News Vietnam War http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3242923.stm Exemption Public good Military Readiness
Fact Set 38% of military personnel are minorities, while they make up only 29% of the general population. The largest military branch, the Army, is comprised of 45% minorities (Ronald Walters, University of Maryland professor). 1973 was the last year the draft was in effect. Only 35 percent of senators and 27 percent of representatives in this Congress have ever served in the military. 16,073,428 men were drafted to serve in WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars.
Arguments in favor of a draft If lawmakers and other influential Americans had children that were eligible for the draft, they might be less likely to support war. National security is a public good- protecting our country is a burden that should be shared by citizens from all different walks of life. Currently minorities and poor Americans are more likely to join the military than other social groups. A draft would remedy this inequality.
Arguments against a draft Today’s highly technical military techniques could not be taught easily to troops who were drafted and only served a short time. A high turnover rate would result in more poorly trained forces. The most influential members of society will still find ways around being drafted- a draft does not ensure equal participation. Requiring people to serve who have not volunteered will hurt military morale. Claremont Colleges Debate Outreach – [email protected]
The United States should have a draft for military service
Key Terms Sources Draft How the U.S. Draft Works Conscription http://people.howstuffworks.com/us-draft.htm Socio-economic Class BBC News Vietnam War http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3242923.stm Exemption Public good Military Readiness
Fact Set 38% of military personnel are minorities, while they make up only 29% of the general population. The largest military branch, the Army, is comprised of 45% minorities (Ronald Walters, University of Maryland professor). 1973 was the last year the draft was in effect. Only 35 percent of senators and 27 percent of representatives in this Congress have ever served in the military. 16,073,428 men were drafted to serve in WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars.
Discussion Questions What is the draft? What is the Selective Service system? How does the all-volunteer force work now? How did the draft work? How do issues of class and race relate to the draft?