SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (27304)2/1/2004 4:02:04 AM
From: unclewest  Read Replies (1) of 793957
 
I'm sure there were SOME incidents since the draft pulled in SOME soldiers who should never have been placed in a situation that required self constraint.

That is unsubstantiated speculation...exactly what Kerry was doing to congress.

That's why the switch was made to an all-volunteer army.

Not true. Kerry had nothing to do with ending the draft. He was an unknown when that debate occurred.
The switch was made because volunteers were overrunning the the active and reserve Armed Forces. The switch to an all-volunteer Army was well underway when Kerry gave that speech. The initial pay raises had begun. Substantial re-enlistment bonuses were in place and draft inductments had already begun to drop...and ceased all together over the following two years.

In SecDef Laird's "One Force" concept letter, published in 1970, the year before Kerry's speech, Laird stipulates "increased reliance on the combat and combat support units of the Guard and Reserves."

The debate about the draft ended in 1970 when... "in less than two pages of single-spaced text, Laird articulated a means of establishing that "Guard and Reserve units and individuals of the Selected Reserves will be prepared to be the initial and primary source for augmentation of the active forces in any future emergency requiring a rapid and substantial expansion of the active forces."

With the groundwork done and the reserve equipment systems scheduled to come on line, in 1971, Nixon signed what he declared would be the last authorization letter for the draft and it was.

EDIT: It is worth noting that SecDef Rumsfeld is the first SecDef since Laird who has not endorsed the one force concept.
uw
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News