Quote: magicjay said: The US armed forces are facing a manpower shortage that conventional and extraordinary efforts have failed to address. It is estimated that 500,000 troops are necessary to maintain the peace and pacify Iraq alone. Should a similar need arise in Iran and North Korea we would be without adequate troops to satisfy policy needs. Therefore, it is foolish to think that current voluntary recruiting methods can meet this challenge.
Conscription is needed to meet the force requirements of the empire. How can this be done with minimal disruption to American civil society? Selective Service was criticized in its last incarnation for discriminating against those of lower socio-economic origin, creating a fighting force largely composed of the poor and minorities.
First, all persons between the ages of 18 and 30 will be required to register for conscription. Outside of physical or mental disability there should be no deferment. This way an Army that looks like America can be achieved. A lottery system can be used, as in the Vietnam War, to give priority for vulnerability. Since younger person generally make better more malleable soldiers, the year of vulnerability will be the year of one's 19th birthday, with exposure declining with age.
In the past those of wealth and privilege have been able to avoid conscription through connections or at least assure that one has a position out of the line of fire. People will still have the option of enlisting in the Navy or Air Force where the risk is perceived as less. We should look to our Civil War experience for a of model draft avoidance fair to all, and use market forces to effect a small redistribution of wealth. An auction system could be set up where those of means buy a substitute. Of course the sub would need to be eligible for service but the draft call system would assure a supply of somewhat older (24-30 yo) potential substitutes. The subs would offer their service to the highest bidder, perhaps on eBay. This would also help retention and salary issues that currently plague the armed forces.
