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Military Draft Needed for War With Iran and Syria?
By Steve Hammons
The American Chronicle
Thursday 20 September 2006
Will the U.S. soon need to activate Selective Service System plans for a military
draft if open hostilities break out with Iran and Syria?
There are signs that for many possible reasons, there are people and groups
in Washington and elsewhere who desire a wider war - war between the U.S.
and Iran and Syria - World War III.
If they have their way, the necessity for a military draft would become a real
possibility.
As has been widely reported, the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve and the National
Guard have been stretched thin by the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Over 2,600 of these men and women have been killed. Thousands more have been
wounded so severely they are unable to return to duty. U.S. Marines have also
been killed and severely injured.
Accounts of re-enlistment statistics seem to be mixed. Many troops are re-enlisting.
At the same time, some experienced officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs)
and enlisted troops are reportedly choosing to leave the Army, Army Reserve
and National Guard.
Reports have also surfaced about Army troops and Marines experiencing significant
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological and emotional
difficulties being sent back to Iraq for repeated tours of combat duty.
Although the Army recently met its periodic recruiting target, there is no
question that many young men and women do not wish to join the Army at this
time.
Part of the reason may be because of controversies about the reasons for the
Iraq invasion and occupation, as well as the manner in which the occupation
has been carried out and mistrust of some in Washington.
Broken US Army an Opportunity
Many current and former senior military officers have pointed out that the
Army, both active duty and reserve components, as well as the National Guard
are at risk of being "broken."
As with many other aspects of recent developments such as the "intelligence
failures" prior to the 9/11 attacks, the apparent tactical errors leading
to the escape of Osama bin Laden from Tora Bora, the seemingly gross miscalculations
during the occupation of Iraq, and other situations, some senior officers naturally
view the "breaking" of the Army as another in an apparent long line
of "mistakes."
But, as with these other circumstances, one man's mistake is another's
discreet plan. After all, what if the 9/11 attacks were not just an intelligence
failure but part of a covert plan for a "New Pearl Harbor" that
actually provided many benefits, in the eyes of some?
What if the turmoil in Iraq provides a perfect opportunity to justify U.S.
forces remaining there for years, decades? After all, a fairly strong case has
been made that the invasion of Iraq was linked to acquiring oil supplies, providing
a base of operations for further military actions in the region and other reasons
not openly stated.
What if the breaking of the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard in Iraq,
and war with Iran and Syria provides the perfect opportunity to convince the
public and Congress that the military draft is needed?
The breaking of the Army in Iraq and the vast increase in troops from a military
draft also provide rich business opportunities for the makers of military equipment,
supplies and services. Private defense contractors are finding the extended
Iraq War operations very profitable. Imagine the profits from war with Iran
and Syria and an expanded U.S. Army from a draft.
Selling the Draft
As with the Iraq War, dire circumstances would need to be present for the American
people and Congress to stand for the re-activation of the military draft. Something
like 9/11, like another severe terrorist attack, like war with Iran and Syria,
like World War III.
After all, for Americans who believe in limited government that minimally interferes
with citizens' lives and liberty, the military draft is somewhat of a
concern. It is a form of involuntary servitude.
The government comes to older teenagers and citizens in their early 20s, tells
them and their parents that the government is taking them for a few years, and,
by the way, they might end up dead or with horrible physical and/or psychological
injuries.
Some have pointed out various positive aspects of a military draft versus an
all-volunteer military. And some of these arguments seem valid. The draft would
expose a wider range of young citizens to the military and this could have several
kinds of benefits.
Military service can include many positive experiences: Fellowship, honor,
respect, courage, new skills, teamwork, duty to country, learning about people
from other backgrounds, sacrifice and many other very valuable aspects of military
service are important. Many veterans can attest to this.
However, there is a dark side to military life. The killing and destroying.
It can bring out the worst in people. It can be dehumanizing. It can lead to
blind obedience to authority and the abuse of authority by those in power. It
can be destructive in many ways.
And, sometimes it seems like those in Washington and the people and groups
who have so enthusiastically pushed the Iraq War, and now expanded war, did
not learn the former - only the latter.
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Steve Hammons graduated from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, with concentration
areas in communications (journalism focus) and health education (psychology focus).
Hammons is the author of two novels about a US government and military joint-service
research team investigating unusual phenomena. Mission Into Light and the
sequel Light's Hand introduce readers to the ten women and men of the "Joint
Reconnaissance Study Group," their exciting adventures exploring the unknown, and
their missions to help create a better world.
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