04/12 Update: Here is yet another sad statement of how we are becoming a more mercenary military:
"Effective immediately, active Army units now in the Central Command area of responsibility and those headed there will deploy for not more than 15 months and return home for not less than 12 months," Gates said, during a Pentagon news conference.
04/05 Update: Looks like National Guard troops will be doing additional tours of Iraq. About 270,000 of the more than 347,000 Army Guard soldiers have served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
04/02 Update: Some combat troops are returning to Iraq 9 and a half months after they left. More evidence and support for a Mercenary Military and a sad commentary on the lack of concern for our fighting men and women. Given that we aren't leaving Iraq anytime soon: Anyone still think the draft is a bad idea? If so, please provide an alternative means of supplying troops for the current escalation.
03/10 Update: Pentagon struggles to find fresh troops
WASHINGTON - Military leaders are struggling to choose Army units to stay in Iraq and Afghanistan longer or go there earlier than planned, but five years of war have made fresh troops harder to find.
Faced with a military buildup in Iraq that could drag into next year, Pentagon officials are trying to identify enough units to keep up to 20 brigade combat teams in Iraq. A brigade usually has about 3,500 troops.
The likely result will be extending the deployments of brigades scheduled to come home at the end of the summer, and sending others earlier than scheduled. Read more here.
01/28 Update: Pentagon Trying to Cut Forced Extensions
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In an action branded a backdoor draft by some critics, the military over the past several years has held tens of thousand of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the job and in war zones beyond their retirement dates or enlistment length. It is a widely disliked practice that the Pentagon, under new Defense Secretary Robert Gates, is trying to figure out how to cut back on.
Gates has ordered that the practice - known as "stop loss" - must "be minimized." At the same time, he is looking for ways to decrease the hardship for troops and their families, recruit more people for a larger military and reassess how the active duty and reserves are used.
...
"It has created terrible problems of morale," Lobel said last week. "It has in some cases made soldiers feel that they were duped or deceived in how they were recruited." Read more here.
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I would never have served three years in the US Army if a draft had not been in effect - I am simply not that patriotic or brave. I did serve and I believe that I am a better man for doing it. So I sit here wondering why, with the overwhelming need overseas, that we are so opposed to a national draft.I say this because I honestly don't know where we will get the troops to wage the war on terror. Anyone have any ideas about how we can wage this war without abusing our troops with ultra-crisis-reaction combat extensions and multiple combat assignments?
As a veteran and dad of a combat veteran I really feel for soldiers and their families. Soldiers today do not serve under the same rules that Vietnam era soldiers served - they are on a yearly rotation (year stateside, year in combat) in combat zones with many on their fourth tour of duty in combat areas. These have no hope for normalcy in their families. Family oriented men and women really have no motivation to make a career of the military.
So I wonder, will future military service be relegated to people who do not want to have families? Will this war on terror change the fabric of military service? Will our Armed forces be comprised mainly of combat mercenaries? Or will we awake to the need of a national draft?
KB,
ReplyDeleteIn light of what you say here. The draft seems rather humane.
Waving the flag doesn't seem to hold the sentiment it did 50 years ago.
The view of patriotism is eroding much like the moral fiber of our country. It comes down to some simple facts of our change in culture:
1) More people question authority
2) More people look at what is in it for them, rather than looking at the greater good.
3) The extended family ties have been greatly reduced.
4) We have put a happy face on our enemy.
5) People believe it is their 'right' to know what is going on in war.
6) Movies, TV, and other media sources have desensitized us to the true cost of the loss of life.
7) Many look at the military as a career that is below them.
All of these points add up to an ininspired military. Demographics support this. Where military enrolement is high is in areas that put a high value on loyalty, have large extended families, and have less education.
The draft would level this field a bit. I know that two of my uncles were drafted because they dropped out of college for a semester. One is dead, and the other is a commemorated vet (actually both were commemorated, but one is still alive to talk about it).
Some countries I visit, like Israel, military service is mandatory. I actually really like this system. Both men and women have to serve and even after their service is complete, they are still on reserve.
God Bless
Doug
You bet we question authority because it looked us in the eyes and lied. When we protested it told us we were being unpatriotic, it still does. If I say the war we are in has been handled wrong I am considered unpatriotic by some. The questions arise about the draft. Do you also draft women? Are our daughters going to have to fight like it or not? I question how we can be America Land of The Free and then force guns into the hands of the young people.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say if they had put a pack on my back, a gun in my hand, and waved a flag in my face I’d spend a lot of time in the brig. My dad was in the military and so was my uncle, my brother wanted to join but they turned him down due to something that happened to his right hand. We support the troops but not this war. Sadly this one might just do our military in.
Milly,
ReplyDeleteI'm just curious. What did they lie to you about?
When we entered this war, very few protested, and many who did, reluctantly agreed that we needed to handle this.
If I say that the war was handled right: I am considered out of touch with reality. I think I'd rather be considered unpatriotic. ;)
Also, if they instituted a draft, why wouldn't they draft women? You can thank the Gloria Steinem's and the ERA movement for this revelation.
Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of distinguishing between our troops and the war, though that sounds nice. And don't worry our military will be fine.
God Bless
Doug
Come on now we all know that the government has been good at the lying for some time now. It comes as no surprise that it is an art form. They tested atomic bombs by blowing them up in our troops faces. Keep your mouth shut and don’t breath you’ll be fine. Cancer as a result. Not to mention what it did to the land in which it was dropped on. Nam one huge one. They kept the troops as drugged up and drunk as possible. I’ve been told first hand on that one by more than one vet. They tested drugs on our troops. As the years have gone by the government that we are to trust has broken that bond. I feel that we can no longer trust any of them Dems too. We have yet to find those weapons of mass destruction.
ReplyDeleteI love America and feel very blessed to be here but I have very little respect for our government with investigations over affairs rather then spending my money where needed and “W” it’s shot.
For the record I was against going in like we did. I felt that something important was missing, I was right a plan to get out.
If I were given a chance to hang out with an ex president I’d be sitting in Mount Vernon talking to President Washington.
One thing is for sure God is going to protect us,
Milly
I have never supported a draft because I don't want people who don't want to be there watching my son's back. As a mother of 2 biological, and many "adopted" sons this is a difficult thing. None of my boys fear going to war, though. And, why not women? How about Bush's daughters? I did like Bush's civilian military idea. I can see all kinds of jobs in translation, intelligence, mechanics, etc. That would send an awesome message to the world. A lot of us that want to do something are too old, fat, or ill to do something. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI supported the war, initially. But having had so many people over there who say it is time to get out...not so much.
I don't think that "our military will be fine" ... it is what this post is all about. Many of our soldiers are stressed to the max and unless our leaders step up to the plate and find alternative ways to add more troops many of these will begin to leave the military ... unless the administration forces them to stay beyond their commitment ... as they currently do ... no honor on the administration's part ... the honor in the military seems to be with those who follow not with those who lead. For more information on honor in the military see my other posts on this subject.
ReplyDeleteHere endeth the rant :)
Sorry Bob for taking off on this one. You’re right they aren’t alright nor will the families be. I don’t see as many running to join with the prospect of ending up the same way. Years of wars and stuff have hurt the military. I do pray for those in and the families.
ReplyDeleteKB: You DON'T rant enough. ;) Bless you bro' for puting up with mine.
ReplyDeleteI see your points, as with the post, but wouldn't you say it is absurd to contend that we can win a war without casualties?
Let me put this in perspective: While these politicians have been focusing on the war:
case 1) Over 2000 children die in the U.S. as a result of injuries sustained due to child abuse. So Over 8000 have died since 9/11.
case 2) 40,000 per year die in car accidents. So there have been over 160,000 fatalities in the United States as a result of car accidents since 9/11.
case 3) 1.5 Million babies are aborted in the united states. So over six million deaths as a result of a horrible Supreme Court decision since 9/11.
case 4) 32,000 suicides each year: over 125,000 in the U.S. since the U.S.
Now let me apply this anti-war mentaility to these issues:
Case 1) We need to ban parenting. Hense stupid legislation like the anti-spanking bill in CA.
Case 2) When are we going to recall all cars? Clearly we are losing the battle with them: they must be stopped at all cost.
Case 3) I supported the Roe Vs. Wade decision and even lobbied for it, but now I realize that I've been duped! Stop the killing!
Case 4) We need to find these people who are commiting suicide and procecute them to the full extent of the law.
I would love to see that third one come to reality, but it isn't gonna happen.
When you put it in terms of these numbers, doesn't it seem that if 'saving lives' is the true focus here that we could work on some of the items above and save many more?
You are also implying that we lost Nam and now Iraq. How can you win every battle and yet lose a war?
God Bless
Doug
Karen,
ReplyDeleteI like your new pic!
God Bless
Doug
Milly,
ReplyDeleteNo one knew the extent of atomic testing. So are you confusing lies with ignorance?
You and KB must have hung around a lot different vets than I know. Most I've talked to got drunk and did stupid things, but they would be the first to tell you that it was their own fault... not the gov's.
Agent Orange indeed they did, and those who did have been procecuted, and law suits have followed ever since.
Milly you say you were against going in like we did and you say that you aren't willing to serve in the military. I find this interesting. It does remind me of Jack Nicklson's montage in A Few Good Men.
I'm not gonna lie to you, I didn't serve either, but I tried to during the Persian-Gulf war. To me that accounts for next to nothing. But I appreciate the sacrifices of our troops and I find it offensive that many individuals choose to belittle these men's importance to our freedom.
I'm sorry to disagree with you so strongly on this Milly.
God Bless
Doug
thanks, doug...it's an extremely flattering pic and looks nothing like me!
ReplyDeleteKB...this is a tough subject! I think about your son...and all our sons...
oops...and daughters.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to agree on Karen's new pic. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteWow, you stirred up a great conversation. I have mixed feelings on a draft. I totally see where you're coming from...but I also saw three of my cousins drafted off to VietNam and one cousin flee the country to avoid it. One of the cousins that went over never made it back. I was just a kid, but it made the war real to me.
ReplyDeleteYet, I am very proud that my father fought in WWII and was at the Battle of Bastione (not spelled rigth). In fact you've probably heard me say that cause I talk about it every chance I get.
I would be horrified if my son (he's 16) was drafted off to war...Its just a tough situation.
I do know a young man, Jason, who is being shipped to Iraq in the next few weeks. He's my great-nephews dead beat dad.
Doug,
ReplyDeleteI think that Bob wants us to shut up on this I actually began typing a rather long response but I could bring it to Bob’s post about something we have veered away from. I love America but I don't want to see this war go on any longer.
Love ya bro!
Milly