U.S. Experience with the Draft: Learning the Wrong Lessons

Abstract

Throughout its history, the United States has relied on conscription to procure manpower. However, this practice has routinely met with criticism and dissent. Due to public outrage over the unfairness of the draft during the Vietnam War, the draft was discontinued in 1973. Almost immediately, proponents emerged advocating reinstatement of the draft. Some proponents advocated the pragmatic need for additional personnel in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. However, others proposed a return to the draft as a means to compel patriotism, ensure egalitarian distribution of the burden of defense, and as a way to solve U.S. fiscal difficulties. This Strategy Research Paper examines whether abandoning the all-volunteer force in favor of conscription will result in a fairer system of military service.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA589477

Entities

People

  • David W. Laws

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Civil War
  • Civilian Population
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Manpower
  • Military Personnel
  • Minority Groups
  • Native Americans
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • Sociology
  • Students
  • United States
  • Vietnam War
  • War
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Naval Personnel Management
  • Strategic Security Studies