Testing the Draft Waters

The age of the draft is creeping back and it is much closer than expected, which is why it is important to participate in the Center's May 14th lobby day.

        Members of Congress are testing the waters about the possibility of a military draft. The situation in Iraq is getting worse each day, and as Spain and Honduras have ordered their troops to pull out, the question of troop shortages has again come up.

        The United States military is already stretched beyond its limit. The Pentagon, just days ago, ordered the extension of duty for 20,000 troops, and many of the troops that have come home from Iraq have no intention of going back or reenlisting. Every day GI Rights counselors at the Center talk to soldiers who are willing to go AWOL rather than return to Iraq. There are not enough troops to carry out the military policies of this administration, and that is becoming clearer every day.

        On April 20, 2004 Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) said that a draft is needed. Hagel believes that all citizens should take responsibility for the burden in Iraq. He said, "Why shouldn't we ask all of our citizens to bear some responsibility and pay some price?" Some in Congress believe that the U.S. did not send enough troops to successfully occupy Iraq and that it will take a significant increase in numbers to restore order. As a result of the chaos in Iraq, Hagel believes that the solution would be to return to conscription. The bitter irony of forcing the "responsibility" and "price" on people who opposed and worked against the Iraq war as the thousands who contacted their congressional members did, appears lost on Hagel.

        Conscription has never been a solution and it should not be considered now. Coercing those into the military who do not want to be there is no way to create a more effective fighting force. Even though the Military is already too large, Congress does have the authority to raise the cap on recruitment without returning to the draft. In fact, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 3696) in December 2003 to temporarily increase the troop level in the Army, Marines, and the Air Force. There are other alternatives. Working with the world community rather than insisting on complete control of the Iraqi occupation would likely cause other nations to join the U.S. in creating stability.

        Now is the time to let Congress know that the draft water is icy cold. Call up your member of Congress now to let them know that a draft is not a viable option, and participate in the Center's May 14th lobby day against the draft. If it is not possible for you to come to DC on the 14th, lobby your representative locally.

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