Military Officer - March 2007 - (Page 14)

yourviews “With the draft everyone had the potential to be affected by … military service.” — Col. Kenneth Damian, USA-Ret. zen involvement and preparedness of the military forces of the United States of America. It is respectfully requested that MOAA membership be invited to respond to a survey concerning reactivation of the draft. Col. Robert H. Sayor, AUS-Ret. Windber, Pa. Editor’s note: Turn to “One Percent,” page 90, to read more about the value of military service and the drawbacks of the gap between Americans who volunteer and those who don’t. Then visit www.moaa .org/discussion and scroll down to One Percent to share your views about the composition of the AVF and suggest possible responses — including a return to the draft. I found it interesting that your articles in “Washington Scene” on the draft (“No Draft on Tap”) and the diminishing presence of veterans in Congress (“Vets Aren’t Taking Hill”) were adjacent to each other. If we had continued the draft, don’t you think that we would have a much greater veterans representation among current congressmen? Sure, I know that some people would [dodge service], but at least with the draft everyone had the potential to be affected by the possibility of military service. Col. Kenneth Damian, USA-Ret. Delray Beach, Fla. Revisiting the Draft I take exception to the views expressed by members of MOAA’s Military Professionals Symposium concerning the need to reinstate the draft [“No Draft on Tap,” “Washington Scene,” January 2007]. It appears to me that the panel is playing politics and being politically correct in its assessment that Congress and the people would not support reenactment of the draft short of war for national survival. The question shouldn’t be whether or not Congress supports the idea but rather, is an all-volunteer Army capable of meeting the global commitments necessary to protect American interests throughout the world? I submit that waiting until America is embroiled in conﬂict for its national survival might be too late for a national draft to decide the outcome. I also take strong exception to the remarks of [Gen. Barry McCaffrey, USA-Ret.] regarding the motivation 14 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2007 of draftees versus volunteers. I served with and commanded both draftees and volunteers during the Vietnam War, and I can state unequivocally that the draftees under my command were the ﬁnest soldiers any commander could hope for. Lt. Col. Louis O. Treadway, USA-Ret. via e-mail The quality, performance, and motivation of the all-volunteer force (AVF) in Afghanistan and Iraq are outstanding. However, excessive call-up and repeated redeployment of Reserve and Guard personnel have diverted them from availability for domestic disasters and disorders. Following [the symposium] report was a brief statement concerning a decline in numbers of legislators who are veterans. [MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USNRet.] reported in September 2006 that, “less than 1 percent of America’s population — our military forces — is carrying the other 99 percent in the war on terrorism.” The draft would be a signiﬁcant equalizer that would emphasize citi- Great War Revisited I was stationed at Laon air base, France, from 1962-65 and later at SHAPE, Mons, Belgium. I have visited and walked over the battleﬁelds in the Marne, the Aisne, the Somme, around Lille, Verdun, and Flanders Field. I have visited most of the American military cemeteries (and French, Ger- http://www.moaa.org/discussion http://www.moaa.org/discussion

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From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Forward, March 10 Top Cities Tell Us About It Fly the Plan Cover Story: The War Poster One Percent Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Member Services Member Books Sounding Taps MOAA Calendar Encore

Military Officer - March 2007

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