There is talk of reinstating the draft. The Pentagon is worried about overextended manpower and the Selective Service System is quietly seeking volunteers for draft boards. Reps. Charles Rangel (D‑NY) and John Conyers Jr. (D‑MI) both support reinstating the draft, and a national service bill by Sens. John McCain (R‑AZ) and Evan Bayh (D‑IN) resembles a draft proposal. Before the possibility becomes a reality, we need to examine whether returning to a draft is a good idea. Our experts will explain how current policies are driving us toward a draft and will discuss such grave questions as whether we need a draft to bolster our stretched-too-thin military; whether a conscripted force would be as capable as an all-volunteer force; and whether a draft would serve societal goals such as equality among differing income or ethnic groups.