Volunteers founded the United States’ military during the Revolutionary War in which they fought to defend the concepts of freedom from their British rulers. Over 225 years later, and through numerous conflicts, this country still prides itself in the concept of voluntary military service to protect and defend those same concepts. While there have been times in which the government has called up or drafted men to help defend the country, such as World
War II and the Vietnam Conflict, this sense of pride and selfless service has been paramount in what Americans hold dear. The fight to defend freedom and democracy through a smaller, skilled volunteer force with the use of advanced technology sets this country apart from many others, such as the …show more content…
This lower rate of positive military support will most likely carry over into a civilian-turned-conscript in the event of a draft. This also leads to judging moral judgment of a volunteer force against mandatory military service.
When asked how military service should be judged, Brigadier General Sidney B. Berry said, “I would prefer that decent people fight the wars, rather than . . . immoral people” (Ackley 316).
This has a direct impact on the ethics of warfare based on the method of military service. While one can place selection criteria on those who volunteer, mandatory military service forces all of those who might have a negative or opposite moral view to become conscripts. A person who wants to serve will generally show a higher order of discipline, focus, and moral standing than one who was forced into service.
The focus for the modern soldier is on that of proper initial training and continued education. After receiving proper instruction through basic training and an entry school of service, personnel must continue that education to stay effective. As technology and its …show more content…
On the other hand, conscripted soldiers do not require this same system of selection and generally show a lower education level, which impacts overall military performance. One notices the difference as the United States’ military made the transition from conscription to volunteer service after the
Vietnam Conflict. Data that was processed during this transition from the draft to volunteer service shows that AQFT scoring was lower among draftees versus volunteers after the change
(Congressional Budget Office 16). By simply changing from mandatory military service to an all-volunteer force, American forces were also able to obtain a higher average education across the board.
While mandatory service has a place, such as during times of great conflict and national emergency, many factors show that a volunteer service is a much more effective fighting force.
During the final transition after Vietnam from the draft to volunteer service, the United
War II and the Vietnam Conflict, this sense of pride and selfless service has been paramount in what Americans hold dear. The fight to defend freedom and democracy through a smaller, skilled volunteer force with the use of advanced technology sets this country apart from many others, such as the …show more content…
This lower rate of positive military support will most likely carry over into a civilian-turned-conscript in the event of a draft. This also leads to judging moral judgment of a volunteer force against mandatory military service.
When asked how military service should be judged, Brigadier General Sidney B. Berry said, “I would prefer that decent people fight the wars, rather than . . . immoral people” (Ackley 316).
This has a direct impact on the ethics of warfare based on the method of military service. While one can place selection criteria on those who volunteer, mandatory military service forces all of those who might have a negative or opposite moral view to become conscripts. A person who wants to serve will generally show a higher order of discipline, focus, and moral standing than one who was forced into service.
The focus for the modern soldier is on that of proper initial training and continued education. After receiving proper instruction through basic training and an entry school of service, personnel must continue that education to stay effective. As technology and its …show more content…
On the other hand, conscripted soldiers do not require this same system of selection and generally show a lower education level, which impacts overall military performance. One notices the difference as the United States’ military made the transition from conscription to volunteer service after the
Vietnam Conflict. Data that was processed during this transition from the draft to volunteer service shows that AQFT scoring was lower among draftees versus volunteers after the change
(Congressional Budget Office 16). By simply changing from mandatory military service to an all-volunteer force, American forces were also able to obtain a higher average education across the board.
While mandatory service has a place, such as during times of great conflict and national emergency, many factors show that a volunteer service is a much more effective fighting force.
During the final transition after Vietnam from the draft to volunteer service, the United