Will there be an Iraq war draft?

April 15, 2004 9:09 AM

I'm looking for any informative preferably unbiased look at wether the US might set up a draft for the ongoing Iraqi war . I would also be interested in reading educated opinions on the probablility of this happening in the absence of real tangible information. I did find this: The Coming Draft, but I don't know the slant on this news source. Many thanks!
posted by pissfactory to society & culture (14 comments total)

There's been no action on either the House or Senate bill on the subject.
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:19 AM on April 15, 2004

Rumsfeld interview transcript, February 19, 2004:

Q: What about a draft?

Rumsfeld: There's no need for a draft, no need at all.

The draft, the use of compulsion was used so that people could be paid about 50 or 60 percent of the civilian manpower market. That's what was going on. People were brought in and they served a very short time because they didn't want to be there. The people we have today on the active force, the Guard and Reserve, every one of them is there because they want to be there. They're all volunteers. It's a wonderful thing and God bless them for what they're doing, and they're doing an absolutely superb job in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and elsewhere across the world.


Not a new position for Rumsfeld, either:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2003 -- The United States is not going to implement a military draft, because there is no need for it, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said today.

posted by profwhat at 9:33 AM on April 15, 2004

From what I'm told, the Pentagon doesn't particularly want a draft. Volunteer soldiers are a lot easier to train and handle than conscripts who don't want to be there.

That said, I'm glad I'm 27, colorblind, have bad knees and a bad back, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and a young baby.
posted by Captain_Tenille at 9:48 AM on April 15, 2004

It would political suicide to even talk about reinstating the draft before the election. If bush wins, I think he'll try to redefine what victory is and get the hell out of Iraq. If there are any moves to reinstate the draft it'll creep in under a "national service" program first so I don't think a straight military draft is likely anytime soon.
posted by rdr at 10:33 AM on April 15, 2004

Yeah, I'm colorblind and mentally ill. I'm just fascinated by the idea of it. I was 19 during gulf war I and was scared then, so I think that has fueled my fascination.
posted by pissfactory at 10:36 AM on April 15, 2004

I'm obese and epileptic, I feel safe <g>
posted by abcde at 11:39 AM on April 15, 2004

Ask Metafilter: "I'm 4-F!" "No, I'm 4-F!"
posted by Captain_Tenille at 11:46 AM on April 15, 2004

Is the Selective Service web site too biased for you?

Notwithstanding recent stories in the news media and on the Internet, Selective Service is not getting ready to conduct a draft for the U.S. Armed Forces -- either with a special skills or regular draft. Rather, the Agency remains prepared to manage a draft if and when the President and the Congress so direct. This responsibility has been ongoing since 1980 and is nothing new. Further, both the President and the Secretary of Defense have stated on more than one occasion that there is no need for a draft for the War on Terrorism or any likely contingency, such as Iraq. Additionally, the Congress has not acted on any proposed legislation to reinstate a draft.

It's not like I trust the current Administration, but it doesn't sound like anyone's talking about a draft. And really, does it seems like there needs to be one?
posted by jdroth at 1:12 PM on April 15, 2004

That said, I'm glad I'm 27, colorblind, have bad knees and a bad back, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and a young baby.

They'll give you knee and back braces, an inhaler, and one of those front-mounted baby carriers (camouflaged, of course). They'll only send you out at night, so the NV goggles will negate the color-blindness.

And since you're 27, they'll assume the job market has already broken your spirit, so boot camp will become that much easier.

Ask Matt to change your name to Private_Tenille, you could be court martialed for impersonating an officer!
posted by Hildago at 1:12 PM on April 15, 2004

I did find this: The Coming Draft, but I don't know the slant on this news source.

Alternet is wildly liberal. They're like Common Dreams or Indymedia.
posted by gd779 at 2:22 PM on April 15, 2004

Really, this is just a scare tactic from the Nader camp.... for now, anyway, I guess.
posted by ph00dz at 3:17 PM on April 15, 2004

I have flat feet, a bad shoulder, and a heart murmur, but I think the thing that would really exempt me is that I once went hot-tubbing in Kentfield, CA.
posted by scarabic at 6:04 PM on April 15, 2004

Won't happen. A draft is immoral and just plain wrong. Too many people know it to let it happen again.
posted by davidmsc at 7:43 PM on April 15, 2004

a draft warning system -- from bartcop--now at blue.
posted by amberglow at 9:09 AM on April 18, 2004