In 1969 President Richard Nixon established the President’s Commission on the All-Volunteer Force, a 15-member commission chaired by former Secretary of Defense Thomas Gates, to "develop a comprehensive plan for eliminating conscription and moving to an all-volunteer force." After the Gates Commission recommended ending the draft, critics alleged the move to an all-volunteer force would negatively alter the concept of American citizenship by eliminating the connection between citizenship and military service. Even if a return to military conscription was politically possible, the draft ended for a myriad of legitimate military, political, and social reasons that make its re-establishment even less practical today. If Americans have lost a sense of civic obligation and community, the end of the draft did not create this problem, nor would the return of conscription serve as a panacea for problems with America’s civic and political culture.
Table of Contents
1. All-Volunteer Force: The Rise of Professionalism in the U.S. Military
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the historical transition and ongoing debate surrounding the United States' shift from a conscription-based military to an all-volunteer force. It addresses whether a return to compulsory service is necessary for civic health and evaluates the effectiveness of the modern professional military model compared to historical draft systems.
- Historical evolution of U.S. military recruitment practices.
- Critiques of the all-volunteer force regarding citizenship and civic obligation.
- Economic and qualitative benefits of a professional, volunteer-based military.
- The role of the "citizen-soldier" tradition in the modern era.
- Impact of the all-volunteer model on national security and technological proficiency.
Excerpt from the Book
All-Volunteer Force: The Rise of Professionalism in the U.S. Military
The U.S. military has relied primarily on volunteers since the nation’s inception, with the country only turning to conscription in a few rare circumstances. In 1863 the U.S. passed a draft bill during the Civil War, however, the draft was suspended after riots broke out in New York City. Congress did not pass a second draft bill until 6 weeks after the U.S. enter World War I in 1917. Then the United States turned to military conscription during peacetime in 1940 prior to World War II, only to return to an all-volunteer force in 1947. After failing to meet recruiting goals and the emergence of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the U.S. established the Selective Service System in 1948. The system would remain in place until its demise 25 years later. Prior to the establishment of the Selective Service System, the draft was essentially only in widespread use during the two World Wars. How could the republican tradition of the citizen-soldier have survived from the founding era in tact if the all-volunteer force supposedly destroyed the institution almost instantly?
The citizen-soldier did not vanish after 1973, but instead still lives on today. The rhetoric applied to the U.S. military members today obviously reflects an appreciation of service and patriotism by the broader public. When U.S. commander General William Westmoreland testified before the Gates Commission at the height of the Vietnam War, he expressed his staunch opposition to an all-volunteer force.
Mr. Westmoreland said he did not want to command an army of mercenaries. Mr. Friedman interrupted, "General, would you rather command an army of slaves?" Mr. Westmoreland replied, "I don't like to hear our patriotic draftees referred to as slaves."
Summary of Chapters
1. All-Volunteer Force: The Rise of Professionalism in the U.S. Military: This chapter analyzes the shift from the Selective Service System to an all-volunteer model, refuting claims that the professional force lacks patriotism or civic value while highlighting its technological and operational superiority.
Keywords
All-Volunteer Force, Conscription, U.S. Military, Gates Commission, Citizen-Soldier, Selective Service System, Military Professionalism, National Security, Civic Obligation, Vietnam War, Milton Friedman, Defense Policy, Military Recruitment, War on Terror, Volunteerism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this document?
The document discusses the historical transition of the United States military from a conscription-based system to an all-volunteer force and examines the arguments for and against maintaining this professional model.
What are the primary themes analyzed?
Central themes include the tension between liberal and republican political cultures, the definition of civic obligation, the economic efficiency of volunteer forces, and the operational advantages of professional training.
What is the main objective of the author?
The author aims to demonstrate that the all-volunteer force is more effective for modern national security than a return to the draft, while arguing that the "citizen-soldier" tradition remains intact within a professional framework.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, synthesizing primary legislative history, expert testimonies, and economic analysis from the Gates Commission and secondary academic research.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main text covers the history of U.S. drafts, debates regarding representativeness in the military, the economic benefits of professional soldiers, and the positive impact of specialized training on reducing combat casualties.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as All-Volunteer Force, Conscription, Citizen-Soldier, Military Professionalism, and Civic Obligation.
Why does the author argue that the draft was never truly representative?
The author points to the extensive exemption system under the Selective Service, such as for education or hardship, which meant the draft rarely resulted in an equal sharing of the burden among the population.
How does the author interpret General Westmoreland's opposition to the volunteer force?
The author contrasts Westmoreland's "mercenary" critique with Milton Friedman's perspective, using this dialogue to illustrate the absurdity of suggesting that forced service is inherently more patriotic than voluntary service.
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- Conor Cummings (Autor), 2012, All-Volunteer Force – The Rise of Professionalism in the U.S. Military, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/210756
