Uncle Sam Wants (Just Some Of) You

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Do you feel a draft? News like this makes me think one may be on the way. With the Defense Department calling up 2500 inactive Marine reservists, it's obvious the military is in need of manpower. I still contend that reinstating the draft would be a huge political loser and, therefore, unlikely to be implemented. But the DOD has done everything short of a draft to fill its ranks and the day may be getting near where more personnel will be needed than can be dredged up from the old soldiers file.

So if a draft is needed but is politically untenable, what’s a war-hungry administration to do? Well, how ‘bout employing divide-and-conquer tactics? Sure, a general draft essentially affecting the entire population would be hugely unpopular precisely because it does impact almost everyone in one way or another. But what if the new draft was very particular about whom it inducted –giving a whole new meaning to the Selective Service.

Here’s what I mean. What if the Pentagon identified specific skill sets (computer programmers, engineers, etc.) it was looking for to round out its force needs and only drafted people with those abilities? Most of the population would remain unaffected and probably more willing to go along (baa, baa) with the new draft since it was unlikely to affect them. It’s my guess that the military can find enough actual front-line combat troops (the guys and girls doing the shooting at real people right in front of them) from volunteer recruits. The new draftees would fill skilled support roles, further reducing the public’s negative view of the draft. The new draft could then creep up in scope without raising the general public’s ire, much like the proverbial frog in the soon to be boiling pot of water.

I’m in no way endorsing this plan but I can see how something like it might be employed if the Bush administration and it’s poodle Congress are allowed to continue carrying us down their merry path to hell.