The Great Draft Dodge

[Dan D]

What?

[donna52522]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Another problem with professional armies is that they are usually hurting for recruits (at least over here and I believe it's even worse in the US IIRC). So they have to lower their standards and in some cases even have to accept criminals into the forces just to get enough bodies in uniforms. Not the guys you want to represent your country in foreign lands.

Most countries, including the USA have standards when it come to the people they allow in their military forces. Of course every bushel has their bad apples, but do you think there will be less bad apples when you conscript people off the street. In the case of drafting you are forcing criminals who never wanted to even be into the military to be into the military. The first people conscripted will be the bad apples.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by donna52522

Most countries, including the USA have standards when it come to the people they allow in their military forces. Of course every bushel has their bad apples, but do you think there will be less bad apples when you conscript people off the street. In the case of drafting you are forcing criminals who never wanted to even be into the military to be into the military. The first people conscripted will be the bad apples.

I disagree. Normally not 100% of able bodied people do get drafted and draftees will only serve a relatively short time. In other words they can be replaced if they fall out of line or be rejected to begin with without bringing the numbers down as there are plenty of potential replacements. However if armed forces are hurting for people (and from my knowledge professional armies generally do) they'll have to accept almost everyone who is willing to join for whatever reasons just to keep their numbers at an acceptable level. They most likely will lower their standards to be open to as many people as possible.

[August]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Normally not 100% of able bodied people do get drafted and draftees will only serve a relatively short time. In other words they can be replaced if they fall out of line or be rejected to begin with without bringing the numbers down as there are plenty of potential replacements. However if armed forces are hurting for people (and from my knowledge professional armies generally do) they'll have to accept almost everyone who is willing to join for whatever reasons just to keep their numbers at an acceptable level. They most likely will lower their standards to be open to as many people as possible.

I know from experience that an all volunteer force is far less willing to accept sub/non performers within their ranks than the draftee Army of my father. The brass and politicians might try to lower enlistment standards to boost numbers but professional troops are very aggressive in weeding out bad apples who may not perform when it counts. Other draftees care a lot less because for the most part they don't want to be there either.