If you were drafted, would you go?

[Phoenix84]

Let's assume a major war breaks out, and congress institutes the draft.  And, in today's equal opportunity world, let's assume women and anyone under 50 is open to the draft.  After all, congress has decided that women can serve in front line combat, so there's really no reason for them NOT to be drafted right?

Also, for the sake of setting up perameters for the discussions, let's assume that people with kids can also be drafted as long as they have a spouse or SO to take care of the kids while you're off fighting for your country.  Only single parents are exempt.

You got your draft letter in hand, what do you do?

[milee]

I would go.  Not that I'd want to, but I would go. 

I would also do whatever it took - and I really mean whatever - to spare my sons from going. My first attempt would be to volunteer to go in their place - I fit the age requirements, am fitter than many 20 year olds and would be a cannier fighter than most, so it's not exactly as bad a trade as it sounds on the surface. But if that didn't work, I would beg, borrow, steal, sell stuff, whatever to keep my boys out of a war. It's not about avoiding duty; again, I would go. It's about knowing my boys and knowing that neither would survive war mentally. 

Let the flames begin. 

[Deleted]

 Ooooohhhhh Canadaaaaaaa, my (new)hooome and (new)Native Laaand....   

[Deleted]

Absolutely.   God, Country, Family. 

[sarcasticgirl]

I'd be down in costa rica sipping cocktails on the beach. Judge all you want! 

[alabamagal]

I'd go.  But I think I would be pretty low on the draft scale since I am 50+

I would expect my kids (age 19-23) to go though.

[Deleted]

Feb 12, 2014 13:05:20 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Absolutely.   God, Country, Family. 

Only one of these is worth dying for to me.



  hint: it ain't #1 or #2...

[aliciar6]

already went once, be happy to go again.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I'd go, but I probably wouldn't be sent anywhere. I still have an active clearance, would get my old rank back, and uncle Sam spent a lot of money training me. I'd be sent back to some secure bunker somewhere maintaining classified computer systems.

[Deleted]

And I sincerely thank you aliciar6 for doing something I won't do. 

[Phoenix84]

I just didn't want any cop out answers like "I'm a woman," or "I have kids."  Such answers doin't tell us how you really feel or would act in such a situation.

[souldoubt]

If there was another world war type situation and it's something I believed in yes but otherwise no.  If our elected officials were to steer us towards another bs war (declared or not) or have us sticking our noses where they don't belong I'm not putting my life on the line while they sit safely in Washington. 

[Phoenix84]

If I were drafted, I would go and do my best.  However, I am not sure how much use I'd be in a front line combat role.  I am legally blind without contacts.  We wouldn't want to end up in a situation where Lt. Swamp was yelling at me to lay down supressive fire so Sgt. Dark can run out and drag Cpl. Archie to safety because he took a bullet to the thigh and suddenly find out I lost a contact or got some dust or dirt in my eye.  Also I couldn't realistically be out in the field for more than 24 hours or so without access to fresh water and contact solution.

But I'd do my best if I were in that situation.  I could probably serve okay on a warship, on a base, or in an airplane.

[wyouser]

I'm over 50, so things would have to get really bad for them to draft into my age bracket.  But, yes, I would go.  (somebody would have to guarantee we would win though....a lot of folks in my generation do not run as fast as they used to in "retreat" situations.  

[sarcasticgirl]

Feb 12, 2014 13:11:46 GMT -5 aliciar6 said:

already went once, be happy to go again.

thank you for your service!

I have been very active in supporting members of the military- care packages and letters to soldiers I "adopt" You all do something I could never do. 

[Deleted]

I think women should have to register for selective service when they turn 18 (and I say that as the parent of a 20 year old daughter).  one of the reasons I didn't join the military after college was because of the combat exclusion law.

and yes, I would go if drafted but right now I doubt I would pass the physical

[milee]

Feb 12, 2014 13:17:15 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

If I were drafted, I would go and do my best.  However, I am not sure how much use I'd be in a front line combat role. 

Unknowable.  That's the tough thing about war, it's unpredictable.  Luck plays a big role but also there are things within you that you probably discover (good and bad) that are more helpful than you'd realize.

Funny story, but this weekend my oldest son and I went to a sort of a shooting marksmanship clinic.  I have zero interest in shooting, don't own a rifle and have shot a rifle twice before.  Obviously, it's something I'm doing to bond with my son and do together, not something I'm good at or interested in.  Anyway, we were there in the clinic with 16 big guys, most of whom were retired military and all of whom were very into shooting and had extensive experience.  To say I was out of place - only woman there and wearing yoga pants no less - would be an understatement.  But I did my best and listened and guess who was the only person to hit the last shot of the day, a head shot at 250 yards?  

Not that I'm saying that firing a borrowed gun in a class is remotely like a war situation.  It's not.  I'm just saying that sometimes you can't always guess who's going to come through and who's going to miss.  

[The Captain]

A lot would depend on what we were fighting for.

A just cause (and yes I know it's never that simple) then yes.  If it's to protect US corporate interests then, no.

Besides, they probably wouldn't want an asthmatic middle aged woman.

[zibazinski]

I wouldn't pass the physical but I can shoot and could do other stuff so someone who could pas the physical could go. I have zero issues with serving my country.

[Phoenix84]

Feb 12, 2014 13:05:20 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Absolutely.   God, Country, Family. 

What about your daughters?

[CarolinaKat]

If I were drafted the Army would look at me and say "you're a medical liability, go away". Seriously, they have already declared me unfit to travel outside the contential US. Also I can't use a vacuum cleaner without spiraling into a full blown, curl-up-and-want-to-die migraine, so i'd be in so much physical pain in a combat situation that I'd be super useless.

DH is military, he'd be gone before any draft happened (along with a good bit of his family, most of which I love too).

[swamp]

Feb 12, 2014 13:17:15 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

If I were drafted, I would go and do my best.  However, I am not sure how much use I'd be in a front line combat role.  I am legally blind without contacts.  We wouldn't want to end up in a situation where Lt. Swamp was yelling at me to lay down supressive fire so Sgt. Dark can run out and drag Cpl. Archie to safety because he took a bullet to the thigh and suddenly find out I lost a contact or got some dust or dirt in my eye.  Also I couldn't realistically be out in the field for more than 24 hours or so without access to fresh water and contact solution.

But I'd do my best if I were in that situation.  I could probably serve okay on a warship, on a base, or in an airplane.

Lt. Swamp would probably be in Canada.

It's not that I am opposed to going, because I would if I thought it was really a good reason to go.  Other than Afghanistan, I don't think our government has had a really good reason to go to war since Pearl Harbor was bombed.

[HoneyBBQ]

Feb 12, 2014 13:12:32 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I just didn't want any cop out answers like "I'm a woman," or "I have kids."  Such answers doin't tell us how you really feel or would act in such a situation.

Um, I have a child IS my answer. I'm sorry you think that's a cop out. That IS how I feel and how I would act. My DD is a toddler, and she needs her mother. Sorry, I'm moving to Canada if I'm drafted (luckily my spouse has dual citizenship). My H is over 50 so he's safe.

I'm a military brat and have nothing for respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve but the wars we have been in recently are ridiculous and ill-managed and I would have no part of them. 

[dannylion]

Absolutely.  I went once already (voluntarily) when I was  young.  I'm probably too old now, but if the needed me, I'd go.

[swamp]

have nothing for respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve but the wars we have been in recently are ridiculous and ill-managed and I would have no part of them

[CarolinaKat]

Feb 12, 2014 13:32:46 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Absolutely.  I went once already (voluntarily) when I was  young.  I'm probably too old now, but if the needed me, I'd go.

Thank you

[Phoenix84]

I am not referring to something like the Iraq war.  When I say "major war" I am saying something like the Chineese and Russians team up and launch a land invasion of the west coast.

[Deleted]

Feb 12, 2014 13:35:56 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

Feb 12, 2014 13:32:46 GMT -5 dannylion said:

Absolutely.  I went once already (voluntarily) when I was  young.  I'm probably too old now, but if the needed me, I'd go.

Thank you

X2

[CarolinaKat]

Feb 12, 2014 13:36:19 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I am not referring to something like the Iraq war.  When I say "major war" I am saying something like the Chineese and Russians team up and launch a land invasion of the west coast.

The Russians can't even make a snowflake turn into an Olympic ring and get functioning elevators in the olympic villiage. I think these would be simpler than staging and coordinating a land war against a well-armed country.

[swamp]

Feb 12, 2014 13:36:19 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

I am not referring to something like the Iraq war.  When I say "major war" I am saying something like the Chineese and Russians team up and launch a land invasion of the west coast.

I'd worry when they got to the Mississippi.