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Benjamin Franklin
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Last Step before the Draft
Tue, 06/29/2004 - 13:49 — kebernet
Well, this is pretty much the last sign before we reinstitute the draft -- did you know the new rules make IT people draftable up to age 34?.
The Pentagon is forcibly enlisting 5600 "Ready Reserve" troops. Those are people who have retired or been discharged from the service and served less than 8 years active.
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Comments
RE: Last Step before the Draft
I read the new Draft rules that have not yet been implemented a while back, but this new forcing the "Ready Reserve" into action AND keeping existing troops on past their commitment to serve is indeed just another form of the draft. Do most Americans recognize this?
RE: Last Step before the Draft
Uh, actually, you guys have it wrong. They are not 'forcing' the IRR back into service. They have not been discharged and are still accountable. I was in the IRR for 2 years afterwards until I received my discharge. So saying that they are 'forcibly enlisting' is entirely incorrect. In the yahoo news article you linked to, even the first paragraph says 'the Army is recalling to active duty about 5,600 people who recently left the service and still have a reserve obligation'.
Also, if I recall the draft has been pushed by the Democrats, right?
RE: Last Step before the Draft
I was just going to post this same thing this morning heimann when I read more about it last night. Its not force they already have a previous commitment to come back. That is in terms of the IRR.
The part about forcing military personnel who have met their commitment to stay on is sort of a draft though? Its at least forced military service no matter how you paint it.
As for the Democrats, if they are pushing the draft then they suck, they are sure capable of sucking, we dont pretend to put them on a pedestal? And I dont recall anyone saying anything about any political party in this article or the previous comments?
RE: Last Step before the Draft
IRR status, yes, is an obligation of people who have served, as noted, less than 8 years. I regret the use of the word "forcibly".
RE: Last Step before the Draft
No problem. Actually, IRR is kind of confusing to most people. Believe it or not, if they call you up and you are out of shape (according to Army standards) you are subject to fines and punishment. Also, if you have lost your gear over the 2 years, etc, you can get in trouble.
Also, as far as keeping folks on who are ready to roll off or retire, yeah, it sucks, but it is even part of the oath they take when you enlist I think. Also, I recall very clearly my enlistment officer telling me that I was enlisting for 8 years but that termination of my 'contract' or obligation is at the sole discretion of the military and subject to revocation due to times of war, etc.
And I only brought up the Democrats point because these kind of military moves are typically seen as Republican warhawk type moves. However, the Dem's were pushing the draft because they felt minorities and the poor were over represented in our completely volunteer military and by putting in a draft it would force rich folk to also have to serve (yeah, right!). So it was really more of a weird kind of affirmative action to increase white middle class participation in the military. Strange but true.
RE: Last Step before the Draft
>>. However, the Dem's were pushing the draft because they felt minorities and the poor were over represented in our completely volunteer military
Well, I think that is part of the arguement. However, I really think most of the arguement for the draft is making the war "real". Frankly, we are fighting a war and getting tax cuts and there is no real sense of it to the average American. When you and people you know have to go update your Selective Service registry, it reminds you exactly what a war means. A draft wouldn't really make the "rich folks" serve, hell it wouldn't even really get all the poor folks, as our last 2 Administrations demostrate across party lines. However, it would remind everyone what is at stake and what the realities are.
RE: Last Step before the Draft
Totally hilarious scene in F911 where Moore stands outside the Capitol, with a Marine in full dress, brochures and clipboard in hand, and asks Congressmen to sign up their kids.
The look on the faces of a few of them as soon as what he is asking hits them is priceless. You gotta see it.