Complete the reflective log
exercise on p. 265 of your text titled, "The Military Draft." Be sure
to follow all instructions provided in the textbox.
THE MILITARY DRAFT
A
nation can legislate mandatory service in the armed forces. Known as 'the
draft,' the United States used forced conscription to build the armies it
needed to fight World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. If drafted,
a person must leave his or her school, job, and family to serve for a specified
period of time, typically two years, in the armed forces. Draftees become
soldiers. And some soldiers give their lives in combat. Those who try to escape
their duties, known as 'draft dodgers' are prosecuted and imprisoned. Assume
that the nation's military leaders evaluate the readiness of the armed forces
and determine that the national defense requires that a military draft should
be established now. Assume that men and women between the ages of 18 and 35
will be subject to the draft as recommended to the President and the Congress.
Assume that the proposal to institute a draft is going to be taken up by
Congress next week and that you have the opportunity to offer your advice to
your state's representatives and senators. Although the nation may or may not
be at war at the moment when the legislation is being considered, it is
reasonable to assume that the nation could be at war at some point in the
future. Considering what you know about the nation, its ideological convictions
and its history, what would you recommend and why? Assume that you are the
right age to be drafted into the military and that you are otherwise fully
qualified and eligible to serve. That is, assume that whatever law is passed,
if there is a draft, you may be one of the people conscripted to serve.
