Raising the draft age.

[i like tictacs]

It is my firm belief that the draft age should be raised to 21. You may enlist/volunteer at 18, but cannot be drafted until you're 21.

Discuss.

[The Deacon]

Whatever the age, the draft age should not be below the drinking age.

You can get sent to the desert and get shot at by terrorists but can't drink a cold one? There's something wrong with that.

[.tMan]

Kind Of Random
but
Since 18 is the legal age of "Adulthood" or lack there of in most people the draft age of 18 makes sense.
back when we needed the draft boys (18year olds) were raised in tougher environment than now days. It seems that today more 18 year olds seem less mature than back in the 60's and 70's. Maybe it's just me but thats what i have observed/studied.

You do bring up a valid point with raising the drafting age to 21. It would mean that many seniors in High school would not have to worry about not being able to get thier High school diploma.

I don;t know these are just kind of random thoughts thrown together, I would like to see some other peoples' thoughts on this.

[jdev]

i agree with what deacon said. you can send someone to die for their country, but wont let them have a drink with their military buddies when they are on leave, sad really..


tic tacs, you coming to AONE 5? check the sig.

[Bad_Dog]

seeing as of how your able to vote (18) if your able to be sent to war, you would figure you could be able to drink... maby someday this will change...

[Jeffy-CanCon]

Maybe I'm crazy...

But why aren't any of you suggesting lowering the drinking age? That seems to be the only argument any of you have. I was all for that when I was a teenager.

The draft age is where it is for good reasons, better than the drinking age laws, IMO. In Canada, the drinking age is 18 or 19, depending on which province you are in. I believe it is 18 in the UK and most of Europe, too. Draft age in all those countries is 18, too.

[Army]

The drinking age used to be 18 in most states, that's why.

There is no draft. Recruiting numbers are still high enough to keep the ranks in all services filled. To bring a draft, Congress must vote and pass a entire new bill, that would enforce the draft laws on the books. The President cannot simply say "Draft them", nor can Congress simply say " bring on the draft". A full on law must be passed first, in order for the still on the record draft resolutions to become law again.

...and so what? You live in a country that provides ANYTHING you could want, if you are willing to put out the effort. The greatest reason for that opportunity, is the sacrifices of our forefathers to maintain our way American way of life. Those sacrifices came at the end of a rifle. We don't choose the fight, we do what we can to stop it, as soon as we can. Sometimes that takes a while...1-3-5 years maybe, it doesn't matter how long anyway, the job has to be done....for you and yours.

I'm doing my part in keeping that dream alive for my childs future, and YOURS. I pledged with MY LIFE, a commitment to protect my country from all enemies, foriegn and domestic. I have accepted that I may die in the effort, and I have prepared my family for that possibility too. That's called sacrifice. It's what you do to make the future happen in the best possible way.

Think about what you are doing right now...then think about how you are able to do it.

[pbzmag]

Well put Army. Back in high school, I knew an exchange student from Germany. He told me that when he gets back to Germany, he had to join the military for a couple of years. He said that it was a law that all males graduating HS must join. That was back in the early 90's. I don't know if it's still like that.

[spantol]

First off, Army, you're a better man than me, and I have nothing, nothing but the utmost respect for you and all of those that have chosen to risk their lives to protect my right to complain about my government (among others).

But, to be fair, it's a choice that you and you alone have made. The very idea of forced conscription runs contrary to the ideals that you and yours fight to defend.

Originally posted by Army
I'm doing my part in keeping that dream alive for my childs future, and YOURS. I pledged with MY LIFE, a commitment to protect my country from all enemies, foriegn and domestic. I have accepted that I may die in the effort, and I have prepared my family for that possibility too. That's called sacrifice. It's what you do to make the future happen in the best possible way.

Think about what you are doing right now...then think about how you are able to do it.

[Steelrat]

I always liked Heinlein's idea of military service in Starship Troopers. The only ones allowed to vote for the govenment, and become full citizens, were those who had served in the military. If you want to be a part of society, you should be prepared to defend it.

[breg]

Personally, I think a great number of youths could benefit from a stint in the armed forces. I am a totally different person than I was just over four years ago. I've learned responsibility, consequnce of action, and loyality.
Though I still can't spell to save my life
The draft is something that would be hard to deal with. I can't imagine dealing with someone who not only does not want to be here, but is here when they didn't choose to be.

[Flamebo]

Originally posted by Army
To bring a draft, Congress must vote and pass a entire new bill, that would enforce the draft laws on the books. The President cannot simply say "Draft them", nor can Congress simply say " bring on the draft". A full on law must be passed first, in order for the still on the record draft resolutions to become law again.

Pre-Bush I would have agreed, but he did a damn good job on declaring war on "whoever" without ANYONE'S consent.

[CoFFeY[NiTrO]]

Originally posted by The Deacon
Whatever the age, the draft age should not be below the drinking age.

They could lower the drinking age to 18?

[i like tictacs]

States cannot lower the drinking age below 21 without losing grants from the government for road maintenance, etc. That is why the drinking age is 21 in most, if not all states. I'm not sure, I don't care about drinking, I'm not 21 yet, I don't drink, it tastes like crap and hangovers suck.

/end rant.

[Army]

Flamebo......wrong.

He has Congressional approval for military action, and all the UN resolutions called for military force to make Iraq follow them, as Iraq had agreed to do.

Even the French looking John Kerry approved of military force against Iraq.