All phases of mil-
actually exacerbate that problem. A draft
country's wars; we're just acting like the
world's policeman."84 An Army officer
brings in untrained first termers, not expe-
itary life are
rienced pilots. And conscripts, who don't
explained in his resignation letter, "I didn't
transformed for
join the Army to be a peacekeeper."85
want to be in uniform, reenlist in far lower
the better when
numbers than do volunteers. Only 10 per-
Half of the soldiers surveyed who served
cent of first termers stayed in the military
in Haiti thought no important American
the armed forces
when service was mandatory compared
interest was at stake in that country; troops
are made up of
with about 50 percent today under the AVF.
who served in Somalia were significantly less
supportive of such endeavors.86 Anecdotal
people who join
Moreover, the increased difficulties in
working with recalcitrant soldiers who have
evidence--such as graffiti at U.S. installa-
voluntarily and
been drafted means even experienced non-
tions--also suggests dissatisfaction with the
desire to succeed.
commissioned officers are less likely to
occupation of Bosnia, a mission that seems
remain. For instance, retention of those
endless and without purpose.
personnel in their fourth year of service
Even soldiers who believe in such opera-
doubled between FY71 and FY77.80 The
tions may be unwilling to perform them
constantly. Sergeant, first class Robert
mean length of service jumped from about
70 months in 1973 to 90 months in 1997.81
Canarios decided to get out of the Army
after 13 years. Although proud of his service
Thus, Francis Rush, acting assistant secre-
in Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, and Macedonia, he
tary of defense for force management poli-
explained to the Wall Street Journal, "With all
cy, reports, "A force composed of volunteers
these pockets of instability in the world, is it
is more stable and career-oriented, thereby
our responsibility to be big brother every
leading to improved experience and perfor-
time there's a problem?"87
mance, with lower training and turnover
costs than we would find with a draft."82
Potential recruits have much the same
reaction. Reports of both increasing and
A return to conscription would yield a
increasingly unpleasant duty, combined
less-experienced, less-stable, and less-effi-
with difficulty in carrying out missions,
cient military. Inducement, not coercion, is
appear to be hindering the enlistment of
the answer to sagging retention. Studies
new soldiers.88
consistently indicate that the most effective
remedy is improved compensation.83
Interviews in focus groups of young men
indicate that America's mounting role as the
The Real Reasons for Retention and
international policeman is among the most
Recruiting Problems
important deterrents to joining the military.
Operation Desert Shield (in contrast with
The pressure created by increased
Desert Storm) and intervention in both
deployments is very real. However, the con-
Somalia and Haiti all reduced young men's
tention that patrolling the artificial state of
perceived likelihood to serve; the effects of
Bosnia is comparable in national interest to
the latter two operations were particularly
containing the Soviet Union during the
dramatic.89 Two researchers at the Defense
Cold War does not pass the laugh test. It
should come as no surprise that undertak-
Manpower Data Center reported:
ing frivolous commitments like the one to
Bosnia is straining the military. Renewing
The focus group results suggest that
conscription is not the proper remedy for
youth today generally view the mili-
that problem.
tary as less attractive than before the
One pilot told Investor's Business Daily
end of the Cold War. A considerable
that "this isn't the Air Force I joined, where
number of young men indicated they
my job was to kill our enemies as fast as
did not wish to serve as peacekeepers
possible and return home." Another com-
in foreign countries. They indicated
plained, "We're not really fighting the
that military service had become
8