National Service: Can It Raise a Quality Army?
Abstract
The concept of national service that would include military service has been proposed in and out of government on a near continuous basis since the turn of the century. The perceived need for some form of national service is the topic of much discussion in the Congress. The current debate and the possible affect of such an act on the armed forces and society is a topical issue of concern. Except for a short period just prior to World War II, our peacetime ranks have been filled with volunteers. Will society allow that to change? If not, what will it agree to? What are the implications for the future of today's Army of quality soldiers in a period of declining manpower and other factors impacting the all recruited force? This study explores the feasibility of a National Service Act and its acceptance or rejection as an alternative for manning the Army through discussion of the historical and contemporary methods America has used to raise its armed forces in peace and war. The degree of acceptance of those methods by today's society is directly tied to our historical societal values towards the military. The influence of those values will determine the degree of consensus for a National Service Act.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 05, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223386
Entities
People
- Larry Turnage
Organizations
- United States Army War College