Standby Medical Draft: Answer to the Military Medical Shortfall?
Abstract
This study will examine the scope of the Department of Defense medical personnel requirement and review the options available to meet the shortfall. These options (increasing the size of the active or reserve components, relying on volunteers, and using the regular draft) will be examined in both the context of their cost-effectiveness and their ability to meet military needs. An additional option became available in 1987 when Congress amended the Military Selective Service Act to set up, within the Selective Service System, a structure for registration and classification of health care personnel. This standby system would be available in time of national emergency to assist the military in meeting its specific medical personnel needs. However, our military presently requires large numbers of medical personnel in a very short time and the Selective Service cannot meet this need without registration of medical personnel. Therefore, while this standby system is an important capability, it must be viewed as only a mechanism to provide medical personnel even if they arrive somewhat later than really needed and to maintain medical strength in a prolonged conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 11, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA222315
Entities
People
- Richard G. Kirchdoerfer
Organizations
- United States Army War College