Obligation to Country

The last armed forces draft in the United States occurred during the Vietnam War and ended in 1972. The United States has not desired or required a draft, yet in view of the United States being attacked on September 11, 2001, our country must be prepared to shield itself at all costs. If being prepared results in reinstating the draft, an obligatory summons for armed forces enlistment, then our nation must reflect on this proposal. The heartbreaking events of September 11 should encourage most citizens to volunteer to defend the freedom they so much desire. Since September 11 the United States has witnessed a spike of patriotism throughout the country that seems to come around only when tragedy strikes. The United States has a society that thrives on freedom and democracy. This conveys to other societies what this nation stands for. Through these values the citizens of the United States should be willing to do what is necessary to preserve freedom and democracy even if it means reinstating the draft.

The draft is a sensitive topic of discussion in America, but despite the consequences of debate it is a matter that must be addressed. While a draft would dispute the liberties granted to citizens in the Constitution, many people believe the draft would be trivial in comparison to the benefits and luxuries most Americans receive, and utilize the draft as an effective tool. Much of the nation believes serving in the armed forces is a civil duty, and to live in this country one must defend it. George Washington once said, "It must be laid down as a primary position and the basis of our (democratic) system, that every citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal service to the defense of it." While not entirely pertinent to events of today, it still emphasizes the fact that American citizens should willingly serve their country if they expect the government to serve them. The draft is crucial for America in the occurrence of a national crisis. People of America lack patriotism for their country and countless citizens overlook the reality that they are living in one of the only countries that offer freedom and the opportunity to succeed. However, John Fitzgerald Kennedy states "Of those to whom much is given, much is required", all that is asked from America is that you give yourself to her when asked. Much of the public would not jeopardize their lives for America. For this reason the government must put a call to battle and restore the draft to insure the wellbeing of America and her citizens. From 1948 until 1973, throughout peacetime and wartime conflicts, men have been drafted into the service in an attempt to fill voids in the armed forces which would not be filled through voluntary resources. Though the armed forces grow with recruitment, it loses more service members from deaths, separations, and retirements. Less than one percent of the United States' population serves in the armed forces, obligating those select few who are willing to sacrifice for the nation. The purpose of the Universal National Service Act (HR2723) presented in 2005 was;" To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period

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