What if there was a military draft and your son got drafted?

[Els]

Why don't you open it up a little. How would you feel if your sons and/or DAUGHTERS were drafted.

 

Many countries have now removed, or are in the process of removing gender restrictions on front line/direct combat occupations. Including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Israel. So it is quite conceivable that in the future the draft will apply to both genders.

 

Curious if this changes peoples views at all :-/

 

The only country of all the above who ACTUALLY drafts women is Israel, though (and I don't envy them, from speaking to a female friend who was drafted before).

 

There is a huge difference between drafting girls and allowing women who so choose (and also, qualify physically) to participate in front-line combat. I don't support draft at all, not even for men, but drafting random 18 yo girls for front-line combat, most of whom are physically weaker than the majority of men of all ages and also prone to rape in such situations, is beyond daft IMO. I'm sure any father with daughters agrees with me.

 

I doubt most of the countries you listed (except Israel and maybe USA) will ever implement a draft in the modern era, though, so it's all good. Women with the capability and training who choose to go into front line - that's also all good and their prerogative.

 

And to answer your question: Doesn't change my views much, I've always been against draft as a whole.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Elswyth

[MuscleCarFan]

I had seriously considered joining the Army or Marines when I was younger, maybe 20 or so. My stepdad and (late) mom were adamently against it. If I had a son and he was drafted, I would worry about. I know for a fact pink_sugar's anxiety would be through the roof.

[1924]

The only country of all the above who ACTUALLY drafts women is Israel, though (and I don't envy them, from speaking to a female friend who was drafted before).

 

There is a huge difference between drafting girls and allowing women who so choose (and also, qualify physically) to participate in front-line combat. I don't support draft at all, not even for men, but drafting random 18 yo girls for front-line combat, most of whom are physically weaker than the majority of men of all ages and also prone to rape in such situations, is beyond daft IMO. I'm sure any father with daughters agrees with me.

 

I doubt most of the countries you listed (except Israel and maybe USA) will ever implement a draft in the modern era, though, so it's all good. Women with the capability and training who choose to go into front line - that's also all good and their prerogative.

 

And to answer your question: Doesn't change my views much, I've always been against draft as a whole.

 

 

 

If women are allowed in combat then it would no longer be Constitutional to draft only males

[Els]

If women are allowed in combat then it would no longer be Constitutional to draft only males

 

I mentioned only about, oh, three times, that I don't support draft in general.

 

You've asked a lot of questions and made several such statements, but what are your own opinions on the draft? What would you do if YOUR children got drafted? Explain the premise of your thread, please.

[turnera]

I think every country should have a mandated 2-year draft at 18 or at high school graduation. There would be enough people that individuals would be able to select from ground service here in the US, combat service, or technical training to staff the military.

 

Plenty of other countries have done it and it serves the country and the young individuals well.

[GorillaTheater]

I think every country should have a mandated 2-year draft at 18 or at high school graduation. There would be enough people that individuals would be able to select from ground service here in the US, combat service, or technical training to staff the military.

 

Plenty of other countries have done it and it serves the country and the young individuals well.

 

In Peacetime, I agree, particularly with regards to the individual. Military service is great for instilling a sense of self-worth, discipline, and confidence.

 

The problem is that conscript armies generally are far inferior to professional armies in combat (Israel being a special case given their strategic circumstances and combat history). The Falklands was a good example of what happens when conscript and professional units meet.

 

So we have to ask ourselves what are we trying to accomplish with a draft? Individual development for those who otherwise might not seek it out, or successfully executing a war with as few casualties as reasonably possible? Because the two goals are not necessarily compatible.

 

Military service is an honorable pursuit. Easily half the men in my extended family have served at one time or another, including myself and my oldest son. But war is not a place for those who are insufficiently motivated to give 110%. Add in the fact that most wars/conflicts since WWII have been based on fairly questionable grounds, and I absolutely do not want my kids to be drafted, ever. If they serve, I want their backs covered by professionals, not draftees.

[loversquarrel]

As always circumstances dictate my answer. If the country was threatened then yes. I would also enlist.

[turnera]

In Peacetime, I agree, particularly with regards to the individual. Military service is great for instilling a sense of self-worth, discipline, and confidence.

If we followed my plan, those who didn't want to fight would be doing other work, like here in the States. Peacetime or wartime, it wouldn't matter, because we'd have the entire population of 18-20 year olds, on a rotating basis, to pull from.

[Chubbi]

I doubt America would even need a draft. There are so many gun freaks in America just waiting to shoot someone I doubt we'd need to enlist the pacifists or women. Let the loonies take care of it.

[todreaminblue]

I doubt America would even need a draft. There are so many gun freaks in America just waiting to shoot someone I doubt we'd need to enlist the pacifists or women. Let the loonies take care of it.

 

if it were me I would enlist right along side my son, someone has to protect others and stand up when someone or a country is harming other countries,and or personal rights and freedoms are being exploited or with held , if my son were drafted, chances are him and i would have already volunteered, I am ex military R.A.N, and my son intends to join the army as a transport driver as we believe in defending what we love which is generally people , and people who cant stand up and be counted and protecting what we take for granted any given day.

Edited June 9, 2014 by todreaminblue

[1924]

This thread was really about asking how you would feel if your son was drafted, not voluntarily joined

[todreaminblue]

This thread was really about asking how you would feel if your son was drafted, not voluntarily joined

 

my son would not have to be drafted, if he was it would have been a foregone conclusion and a waste of paperwork save the trees with one less draft and save someone else from being drafted..ill go front line apparently i am allowed now plus i can go on a destroyer...by me volunteering to enlist again saves an unnecessary draft, that type of attitude, if more people do that then young ones need not be subjected to post traumatic stress or people who just dont want to fight dont have to...deb