No I am not talking about final and rough drafts...which reminds me, shoot! I have to get on that for the op-ed piece. Anyway, The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien, is an outstanding book so far and it does a good job of getting us in the heads of the people who were there. My favorite part so far has been the "Rainy River." In the chapter the narrator discusses a wide arrange of emotions that he has about being drafted.
I don't feel the need to repeat the same information that most of us read. However, I would just like to express my ideas on the draft.
First off, I hate the idea of having a draft. Through personal experience I have come to the understanding that most people simply do not belong in the military, let alone being thrown into a war. The people who do belong in the military, however, are the ones who list or pursue a commission. Granted that it is not always that simple, but it works most of the time.
After speaking with people in the military about joining, they all tell me the same thing--you have to want to be in the armed forces. I have experienced first hand the dedication that one needs to have in order to keep their sanity. The people who just aren't cut out for the job would suffer horribly. The mental torment from the drill sergeants, home sickness, and war, would all combine to form a giant pill that would be difficult to swallow.
On the other hand, if the draft were reinstated today, and you see Uncle Sam's name come up on your caller I.D., you should better pick up the phone. If you take the time to appreciate the gifts that the soldiers of past wars have helped secure for you, you would break down and cry. Our society is infinitely better than those of the countries that we occupy. The fact that we can live without the fear of death, danger, and famine, is a rare blessing.
The military has a quota of people that it needs to fill. For example if there was a draft for 5,000, then that means 5,000. Lets say that 1,000 people decide to bail on their country, join a drum circle, and smoke a bunch of cannabis. Due to their very selfish actions, 1,000 new families are going to have to feel the pain of their loved ones leaving home and going off to a far away land. If it were me personally, I don't think that I could live with myself thinking that someone died in a war that I wasn't brave enough to fight.
The big idea that I am trying to get at is that if soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we don't have to worry about making it through the day alive, then we should honor them and also fight for the blessings of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, for the rest of the people back home.
I know that my ideas conflict to some degree and form a paradox. Basically I am against the draft, but I am all for answering the draft's call. My ideas on the draft aren't always consistent, but the principle remains--if Uncle Sam knocks on your door, answer it, even if you are scared.
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I also really don't like the idea of a draft, but I think I understand what you're getting at. Personally, I don't know if I'd really be able to handle going to war if I were ever commanded to. I think I'd probably feel a lot like O'Brien did when he was drafted. I'd consider running and I'd consider serving, but, honestly, I don't know what I'd decide on. Hopefully, I'll never actually have to make that decision. Still, I do see what you mean about honoring what soldiers of the past have done for us by serving, and I respect your point.
ReplyDeleteGood post!
I completely agree with you. The idea of the draft, in my opinion, is terrible. Forcing people to risk their lives when they don't want to isn't going to end up well. Unfortunately, if our great country decideds to reinstate the draft, there is a reason and it's probably a good one. My ideas, like yours, conflict. I feel as if it's wrong to dishonor soldiers of the past by bailing on the draft. But, as Ali said, hopefully the draft is something that none of us will have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you. If you force people to do something that they don't want to, they will not be motivated at all and the end result won't be as productive as it would if the soldiers had just enlisted.
ReplyDeleteWell, at the risk of repeating the last three people, I agree! I don't really agree with the draft, either. I think unless people come willingly, they won't do a very good job and they'll suffer more for it. I guess it's sometimes "necessary" but how necessary is war usually in the first place? Especailly Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteThis was an excellent post, Zach. I really liked that you brought in the point of view from enlisted servicepeople as well. I agree with you very much. It is important that if we are asked to do something to defend each other that we do it.
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