The All-Volunteer Army

One thing the anti-war protesters can't say about the current war is that it isn't a drafted army fighting over there like there was in Vietnam. They can't say anymore that the boys went against their will. In reality the military was designed to work as an all-volunteer service by the founding fathers.

This is what the Constitution in Article 1, Section 8 says about the drafted army and what it may be called up for: "[Congress may] provide for calling forth the to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions." In other words there are three cases in which the (drafted army) may be called up for service. (1) To execute the laws of the Union (put down rioting, and severe resistance to laws). (2) To suppress insurrections (fight rebellions and the like). (3) To repel foreign invasions. The founding fathers designed it this way so that the United States wouldn't become a bully state, policing other nations around with its huge military.

This principle was understood all through the history of the U.S., from 1788 to 1917 in World War I. Up until that time, all military engagements were with an all-volunteer service; the Civil War excepted. That was obviously a justified draft because there was an organized insurrection. But in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, wanted to get into the war somehow, but he knew that the American people weren't really for the war. He also knew what the Constitution said about the draft, but that was the easier of the two rules to break. So, he declared war, and called up the draft. Those who knew the Constitution immediately protested and sued in the courts. But the courts were loaded at this time with liberal judges who put off the cases until after the war. At that time, nobody cared because the war was over, and the cases were dismissed.

WWII was (in my opinion) an invasion, but the wars in Korea and Vietnam were completely unjustified. In hindsight, an all-volunteer army is a very good and practical concept. It keeps the morale of the soldiers up, and provides quality in combat because there is more time to train and make preparations. It is good for the country because the people will usually be behind an all-volunteer war, and will support the nation.

So I say, "Let's keep on going the way we're going."