Although a great proponent of demobilization after WWII, President Harry S. Truman re-instituted the military draft in July 1948 with a proclamation calling for conscription of ~10 million men.
> 16 million men and women served in the U.S. military during WWII. When the war ended, many American citizens (just as after WWI) demanded rapid demobilization. By 1948, less than 550,000 men remained in the U.S. Army.
With the Cold War heating up, and a confrontation with the USSR entirely possible, U.S. government officials were concerned about the relatively small size of American military forces.
I’ve long felt that a draft into public service should be mandatory. It no longer need be only a military option; other kinds of public service could be offered as choices. Those who want the military experience could have it while others could choose differently. I also feel that the time period for serving should be much wider than previously. In other words, once people–men and women– turn 18, they could have something like 10-15 years during which period they can choose to serve. That way they have some control over how to fit their service into the rest of their lives.
I’m sure it would be more complicated than I’m making it sound, but I’m also sure there are smart people that could figure this out.
I fully agree, Bob. Many countries have an 18 mos – 2 yr obligation of national service.
Thanks, Mark. I truly believe that some kind of mandatory public service would go a long way towards mending much of the divisiveness in our country. But it’s not an easy sell.
Here is a list of 106 countries that have been identified as having no enforced conscription:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_service
Close to home:
Mexico
As of 2011, all males reaching eighteen years of age must register for military service (Servicio Militar Nacional, or SMN) for one year, though selection is made by a lottery system using the following color scheme: whoever draws a black ball must serve as a “disponibility reservist”, that is, he must not follow any activities whatsoever and get his discharge card at the end of the year. The ones who get a white ball serve Saturdays in a Batallón del Servicio Militar Nacional (National Military Service Battalion) composed entirely of one-year SMN conscripts. Those with a community service interest may participate in Literacy Campaigns as teachers or as physical education instructors. Military service is also (voluntarily) open to women. In certain cities, such as Mexico City and Veracruz, there is a third option: a red ball (Mexico City) and a Blue ball (Veracruz), which entails serving a full year as a recruit in a Paratrooper Battalion in the case of Mexico City residents, or an Infantería de Marina unit (Navy Marines) in Veracruz. In other cities which have a Navy HQ (such as Ciudad Madero), it is the Navy which takes charge of the conscripts, instead of the Army.
A “liberated” military ID is a requirement to join the Mexican local, state, and federal police forces, also to apply for some government jobs, Draft dodging was an uncommon occurrence in Mexico until 2002, since a “liberated” military ID card was needed for a Mexican male to obtain a passport, but since this requirement was dropped by the Mexican government, absenteeism from military service has become more common.
Such a “draft” would have to encompass all men.. and some women.. in order to work without animosity towards others…
What would be the parameters of your so-called “public service”??
From a strength of over 8,000,000 in August 1945, the army declined to less than 3,000,000 by January 1946 and to 554,000 troops by March 1948. The drop in combat capability was even more rapid, as most veterans, except for the relatively few career soldiers, were discharged and replaced by inexperienced recruits.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-United-States-Army/World-War-II-the-Korean-War-and-the-Cold-War