Bringing Back the Draft

Congressman Jack Murtha, who is a fierce critic of the Bush Administration’s Iraq policy, has repeatedly floated the idea of reinstating a military draft. Murtha argues that the military has been depleted by the ongoing occupation and is in desperate need of new blood. Recruitment numbers have been down for the past few years. Although I am sure that many progressives will disagree with me, I believe that a reintroduction of the draft would be good for America.

The military is currently an all-volunteer force. As a result, the armed forces are disproportionably composed of working-class and poor people. African-Americans and Latino’s compose a high percentage of frontline troops. Quite simply, the military does not reflect the demographics of our nation. This is troubling for several reasons.

First, there is a moral question. The burden of war should not only be shouldered by the lower classes. It should be shared by people from all backgrounds. A military draft would require all youth to perform some kind of national service and reduce the inherent inequality created by an all-volunteer military.

Second, a draft would help make citizens feel the impact of foreign policy. It’s easy to ignore the Bush Administration’s blunders in Iraq if you’re not going to be anywhere close to a battlefield. A reinstatement of the draft would force issues of war and peace into the heart of our political debate. Universal military service would ultimately be a tool to enhance our democracy.

The reinstatement of the draft will be controversial, especially among youth. Still, I strongly support any move to require military service. Although it is unlikely, a military draft could be the right thing for America.