Could mandatory military service be re-established under Trump?
All-volunteer military since 1973
In the United States, mandatory military service ended in 1973, when the country’s Armed Forces moved to an all-volunteer military.
Mandatory from 1940 to 1973
Before that, from 1940 until 1973, during both peacetime and periods of conflict, men were drafted to fill vacancies in the U.S. Armed Forces.
A plan to re establish a national service mandate?
Now, an article by The Washington Post claims that several former administration officials and GOP lawmakers have talked about a plan to re-establish a national service mandate to remedy what they see as a “crisis” in the all-volunteer military.
77% of American young adults are unqualified to serve
Military enlistment has declined in recent decades. The Department of Defense said it faces “unprecedented recruiting challenges”, as 77% of young adults in the US are “unqualified to serve” for reasons that include obesity, drug use and aptitude.
Military falling short of their recruitment goals
At the end of the 2023 fiscal year, three branches reported falling short of their recruitment goals: the Navy was at 80% of its target number, the Army was at 77%, and the Air Force was at 89%.
Former defense secretary hints at re establishing conscription
Christopher Miller, the defense secretary during Trump’s tenure, said in an interview that national service requirement should be “strongly considered,” according to The Post’s article.
Photo: Joel Rivera-Camacho/Unsplash
Could he be secretary of defense again?
Moreover, Trump has praised Miller’s performance during his administration and said that if there is a second term, he might reprise his role as defense secretary.
Trump called the Post’s article “fake news”
However, Trump took to Truth Social to blast The Washington Post for the article saying that the idea that he would call for mandatory military service was “fake news” and “ridiculous”.
“A failed attempt to damage me with the voters”
“This is only a continuation of their EIGHT YEAR failed attempt to damage me with the Voters. The Story is completely untrue. In fact, I never even thought of that idea,” Trump added on Truth Social.
Trump avoided service during the Vietnam war
According to The Post, Trump’s own relationship with the military is “complicated”. While he attended a military academy, he later looked for excuses to avoid service during the Vietnam war.
Conscription supported by many GOP members
However, Trump might still be for it, as the idea of mandatory military service is apparently supported by many other GOP members besides the former defense secretary.
Photo: Clay Banks/Unsplash
Senator J.D. Vance
Senator J.D. Vance (Ohio), a potential Trump running mate, said in an interview that he sees a clear need for measures to boost participation in the military, according to The Post.
Vance called for Americans to “put some skin in the game”
“I like the idea of national service. And I’m not talking about in wartime,” Vance said, calling for more Americans to put “some skin in the game.”
Photo: Diego González/Unsplash
SC senator said recruiters need freedom to work in public schools
Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), the onetime Trump confidant who has recently clashed with the former president, suggested that military recruiters need more freedom to work in the country’s public schools.
Photo: Scandinavian backlash/Unsplash
“Gaining a better appreciation of how great this country is”
Rob Hood, a former official in the Trump Defense Department, said he thinks 18- to 20-year-olds would benefit from gaining “a better appreciation for how great this country is.”
Photo: Joel Rivera Camacho/Unsplash
Will Trump be the next US president?
The decision to make military service mandatory, however, would ultimately be made by the president of the United States. Although Trump is now clearly ahead of Biden in the polls, according to The Economist, there is still some time for Biden turn the results around.
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