Lack of a draft for the last 40 yrs denied the US of a rite of passage that

[CK_John]

gave us macho man and spoiled tea baggers who need assault weapons, who fear their own shadow and anyone who doesn't look like them.

Just the threat of being drafted provided a outlet and focused that youth need.

[RomneyLies]

1. Archie Turner might disagree with your assessment.

Of course, he ended up retiring from the Army 32 years after he was the last known person drafted into the United States Army.

[catnhatnh]

2. Well...

I'm pretty happy neither my son nor his sons have or will be forced to face that.

[CK_John]

4. A very small percentage are actually drafted, but all share the worry. Worry

is not always a bad thing.

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. I'm old enough ...

to recall the draft, the judicial choice of "Go to the Army, or go to jail" and the military being the employer of last resort. I'm also old enough to recall that many/most of those in the last two categories benefitted greatly, from their experience.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. Some of us in the first category benefitted as well

Although I can't say that this draftee appreciated the experience at the time.

I have a friend in the second category. Now he collects a V.A. pension. That judge handed him a helluva good option.

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. If nothing else ...

your experience gives you pause to respond to anything, "All you have to do is ..."

Am I right?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. Does that response end

"... hold my beer and watch this"?

Some said "never volunteer". I volunteered to do some typing during 11B AIT, hoping for a day in some air conditioning, and next thing I knew I got transferred to 51B and then to Germany. In the rear with the gear (and the beer).

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. In the future ...

Please use a "put down your coffee and swallow before reading this" warning. Thanks in advance. Now excuse me while I clean off my key-board.

[Denninmi]

5. Seriously?

You would actually wish that upon younger generations.

I was glad it was gone by the time I reached 18.

[dairydog91]

8. Let's try to come up with a less blood-drenched "right of passage", shall we?

I don't see how supplying the US military with an enormous stream of cannon fodder is particularly progressive.

[Brother Buzz]

9. Just the threat of being drafted provided a outlet and focused that youth need. What does that mean?

[ohiosmith]

12. Fuck the draft! Fuck everyone that supported the draft! Rest in peace my lost friends who died

because of the draft!

A proud draft dodger.