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military background to a senior post on the

men on the face of the earth today." In this

National Security Council."55 The propor-

way, he contends, "the gangs of young

tion of members of Congress who served in

toughs who terrorize the nation and just

the military has dropped from more than

about every community, could be trained to

in fact protect the nation."61

75 percent in 1971 to less than 34 percent

in 1999. Furthermore, complains Ricks, not

A Military Isolated from Society

many legislators are even interested in

defense issues.

Others, in contrast, worry that the mili-

Ricks advocates reinstating conscription.

tary emphasis on duty and other aspects of a

Similarly, the Army Times editorializes that a

so-called warrior ethos is leading to the isola-

tion of the military from the rest of society.62

new draft "would ensure that future genera-

tions of political leaders would enter office

Mackenzie contends that "without conscrip-

understanding the military, its strengths and

tion, a distinct--and potentially dangerous--

weaknesses, and its culture."56

military cohort is unavoidable."63 McCain,

clearly thinking about the nation's political

Inadequate Inculcation of the Values of

leadership, speaks of "a greater estrange-

Citizenship and Discipline in Younger

ment, a greater distancing between the

Most of the criti-

Generations

Congress, traditional protectors of the mili-

cisms have been

tary, and the military itself."64

There is a widespread fear of a declining

civic ethos among young people. Represen-

around since the

tative Buyer complains that "a lot of young

founding of the

Missing the Point:

people are escaping their civic responsibili-

ties."57 Senator McCain explains, "I appreci-

AVF, and they are

Conscription as an Illusory

ate that the all-volunteer force has been

no more persua-

Solution

very successful," but, he adds, "we are rais-

sive today than

ing a generation of not only leaders but

middle-income Americans who have never

Although the lengthy bill of particulars

they were a quar-

served their country."58

against voluntarism appears impressive,

ter century ago.

there's really no there there, as Gertrude Stein

Some people view conscription as appro-

once said of Oakland. Most of the criticisms

priate response to such concerns. In the

have been around since the founding of the

view of George Wilson, "Even small draft

AVF, and they are no more persuasive today

calls" would help re-instill "the sense of

obligation to serve."59 The Army Times

than they were a quarter century ago.65

would prefer a full national service draft:

AVF Increases Overall Force Quality

"The sense of duty that comes with public

service also would rub off on large numbers

First, the military's problem is not an

of young people who might otherwise never

inadequate quantity of recruits but an inad-

consider a military career. Some would stay,

equate quantity of quality recruits. The AVF

to the military's benefit. And others would

is choosier than a draft military--actually

leave, taking with them a healthy apprecia-

rejecting many bodies. Navy recruiter Petty

tion and respect for those who put their

Officer Benny Granillo explains, "Most of

lives on the line in the name of liberty and

the people who walk into the office have

freedom."60

something wrong with them."66 Of roughly

9 million males between the ages of 17 and

Taking a different approach is Jim

21, Maj. Gen. Evan Gaddis, commanding

Cleaver, who argued for conscription to use

general of the Army, reports that "only 14

"old hard-shelled drill instructors or drill

percent are the high quality, fully qualified

sergeants . . . as trainers for some of these

and available prospects all military services

young hoodlums who think they are the

want to recruit."67 The Pentagon could

toughest, most invincible, and meanest

6