Bring Back The Draft?

If America Fights A War, Should The Government Draft Soldiers?

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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There have been stories recently about the problem the Pentagon is having recruiting enough soldiers to do the fighting that we're committed to do in Iraq.

In an attempt to get the soldiers they need, recruiters have reduced the standards for getting into the Army or Navy.

They have reduced the educational standards, for example, so that they're getting more soldiers who didn't go to high school, let alone graduate from high school.

Recruiters are granting thousands of what they call "moral waivers". A "moral waiver" it turns out means they'll take someone who has committed a crime or even someone who has been in prison. Last year, a total of 8,129 "moral waivers" were given to men who volunteered for the Army.

Are these the people we want representing us? As American soldiers, they're going to give the people they meet around the world the impression that they are what all Americans are like and if they have been taken from the bottom of the barrel, they are not what we're all like.

In August of 1941, I had just finished my junior year in college when I was drafted into the Army. Hundreds of my classmates were drafted at the same time.

I hated everything about Army life. I hated the Field Artillery regiment I was assigned to. Most of the guys in it were high school dropouts and the Army wasn't using the term "moral waiver," yet but a lot of them would have needed it.

They had joined before the draft so they had already been promoted to being corporals or sergeants and they were in charge of the rest of us.

In 1942 we were at war with Germany and it wasn't long before drafted college students and high school graduates dominated our military. It changed the United States Army for the better and in two years made it the best fighting force there has ever been. The Army and Navy were no longer made up of losers.

Now comes the part of this I never thought I'd hear myself say: Whenever we, as a nation, decide to fight a war – in Iraq or anywhere else – it should be fought by average Americans who are drafted.

[Portfound]

Dear Andy,
I was half way through a six year tour of the Navy at the time the draft was discontinued in 1973. We should never have eliminated it. But since we have, I feel that any time more than 20,000 troops are sent to do battle, the draft should automatically kick in. It would stop a lot of the chicken hawk ******** that permeates our Nation and our Capital. I believe the major contributor to the ending of the Vietnam conflict was the lottery draft instituted in 1969. It took away the draft board kickbacks for getting the little Dick or Rush a deferment. When the number came up, he went. It pissed a lot of the Limbaugh type?s off and only then was a demand for an end to a war forced into the mainstream.
So, let the lottery draft begin again!
Leroy Scharfenberg in Fayetteville, AR

[karjens39]

I share the posters comments about the disgusting comments made by Rooney. (It's funny a few years ago people said Bush was trying to bring back the draft and pitched a fit. Even though it was a Democratic Senator that brought it up). At any rate, while Rooney's comments are disgusting I find the comments about "wasted lives" equally as distasteful. No soldier who dies in service to their country is wasted. So to those who say they died for nothing are no better than Rooney.

[msgmorris]

Mr. Rooney,
You should be glad a whole bunch of folks took to the Army better than you did or we would have lost the freakin' war!
Just because you were unsuited for military service doesn't make every one who is a loser.
I have 2 sons in the Army; they could have done ANYTHING with their lives, including writing effete commentary for TV. But instead, they chose to serve their country in its time of need. They are professionals doing a dangerous job. They do not need to be hindered by dumbasses like you were when you were in the Army. We've got plenty of people who can write sentences; we need trigger pullers who won't crack up when it gets hot.
Retire and get out of the way.

[deadalphas]

One of the last things I worry about is being killed by a Muslim terrorist, and it's not because our military is doing such a great job of keeping them away.

On September 11, 2001 about 3,000 Americans were murdered by Muslim terrorists. In that same year, and every other year, between 5 and 6 times that many Americans were murdered by other Americans.

[charles1456]

Well I'm guess I'm just one of the 'dumb' ones.
I joined after I graduated from college. I was accepted to law school but was fascinated w/ the military. So I joined. I didn't know what to expect but the military we have now is far better than what it was during Vietnam. I can't understand how an older journalist who certainly had to be familiar w/ all the problems the draft created during Vietnam (drug abuse, low moral, discipline problems) thinks that it would just a *dandy* idea to bring it back.
Maybe it's you sir, who needs an education. Why is it journalists and those w/ advanced degrees become so clueless about history?

[ns27mm6md4]

Please do not promote the draft! Let's try to figure out a way to get out of this terrible war and not waste more of our young people lives, drafted or not!

And I cannot believe you think you are so much better than the other brave men that fought in World War II just because you were enrolled in college! How arrogant of you. My father fought proudly and bravely in that war. He did drop out of high school to join. BUT HE IS BY NO MEANS A LOSER!!! Thank God he came home safely. He is a good and intelligent man that worked very hard the rest of his life to raise his family. Please think before you speak.

[msghicks]

Mr. Rooney
Your views are outdated and in my opinion just plain wrong. You insult those who have given their lives in defense of your right to free speech. Education doesn't guarantee a good Soldier. After almost three decades in uniform both Active Army and Reserves I can tell you that I have seen and served with more educated idiots than I care to remember. Oh by the way I have a GED that the Army helped me to obtain.
Mr. Rooney I normally listen to you but this last video has me wondering if it is time for you to hang it up.
MSG Hicks

[wyoldchild]

I am submitting this at my parents' request, members of the "Greatest Generation"--the people who made America great when it was great!

"Along with many others, I wish to voice my protest to Andy Rooney's commentary on "60 Minutes". Renewing the Draft to waste more American lives on George W.'s hopeless war in Iraq is obscene. But I further protest his insult to the Veterans of World War II who enlisted before we were officially at war. According to Rooney, all those me who died and were wounded at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 were 'losers'. Tom Brokaw called them 'The Greatest generation'--surely he didn't mean the college graduates were the only great ones!!!
My husband was wounded on Dec. 7th and spent a month in the hospital. After his recovery he was sent on to Guadalcanal where they were bombed every night for months. After almost three years, he came home for a thirty-day leave. Then he was sent back to the Pacific for two more years until the War ended. He earned the rank of Cheif Petty Officer. We were married after the war and we have a great family--children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. So Mr. Rooney, how dare you call him a loser!!!"

I have to add: How dare you belittle anyone who risks their life to serve our country?

[proudmom14]

I was appalled at the commentary reqarding "Bring Back The Draft". In August of 1941 I am sure that you were among the minority by being a college student. And, how unfortunate that you had to leave your soft life and fight for the rights and freedoms of being an American. I am sorry that you hated everything about Army life, but I am more sorry for your fellow soldiers that had to serve with a bigoted person like you. How sad for you that someone who was not your mental equal was able to tell you what needed to be done and how you needed to do it. Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, the men on Iwo Jima and the brave men on the beaches of Normandy who gave their all, exactly how many of these solders were losers in your eyes? Our son, a true American Hero did not attend college, but chose to join the Marine Corp after High School. During his two tours of duty in Iraq he has earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze stars. No losers here. I take great offense of your attitude towards our brave sons and daughters who do not have a college degree, but lay their lives on the line each and every day so people like you can remain free. Now comes the part I knew I would hear myself say...The brave men and women who decided to serve our great country are anything but AVERAGE Americans, They are the BEST.

[blb53]

Mr. Rooney,

Did you forget Audie Murphy (the most decortated soldier of WWII) was a high school dropout.

[stezzer]

Surely being granted a "moral waiver" and joining the military is better than returning to a life of crime.

I'm sure the military is a good place to get your priorities right. Where you learn not to be selfish and support others. A good place to turn your life around and start again.

I'm surprised at Mr Rooney. I always thought he was the voice of common sense.

[wyoldchild]

I am submitting this at my parents' request, members of the "Greatest Generation"--the people who made America great when it was great!

"Along with many others, I wish to voice my protest to Andy Rooney's commentary on "60 Minutes". Renewing the Draft to waste more American lives on George W.'s hopeless war in Iraq is obscene. But I further protest his insult to the Veterans of World War II who enlisted before we were officially at war. According to Rooney, all those me who died and were wounded at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 were 'losers'. Tom Brokaw called them 'The Greatest generation'--surely he didn't mean the college graduates were the only great ones!!!
My husband was wounded on Dec. 7th and spent a month in the hospital. After his recovery he was sent on to Guadalcanal where they were bombed every night for months. After almost three years, he came home for a thirty-day leave. Then he was sent back to the Pacific for two more years until the War ended. He earned the rank of Cheif Petty Officer. We were married after the war and we have a great family--children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. So Mr. Rooney, how dare you call him a loser!!!"

I have to add: How dare you belittle anyone who risks their life to serve our country?

[ii29029]

Well Andy you sure opened a good can of worms. Being educated is not the only factor that makes a good soldier. Have you heard of the title,'" educated idiots?" We all need to push the armed forces to properly train and educate all of our soldiers. Sometimes being street smart has its advantages to just having an ego and college education. Just pick up the paper and look at what the so called educated people are doing to the country. People enlist in the armed forces for many reasons. Blessed are they that do volunteer. Please do not belittle any of them but encourage and support all of them. Maybe you should do another show in support of a supporting theme?
I have 3 sons in the armed forces. One of them has been to Iraq 3 times, re enlisted and will soon returning. I hope they all return to us. I have 3 other boys who are not of age yet.
Andy put the lid on this can of worms you opened. Bow low and apologize to all your faithful followers that you have disappointed. Make it right and make ammends. United we stand ....

[deeshops]

I am shocked and appalled by your ridiculous segment Sunday night!! Those %u201Closers%u201D are risking their lives so you have the freedom to blurt out whatever inaccurate statements you want! These soldiers have to have a minimum of a GED and are signing on in hopes of continuing education, a long-term career, and TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY! Those %u201Cmoral waivers%u201D are NOT for murders or rapist; they are for young men and women who MADE A MISTAKE! You gave the number of who many %u201Cmoral waivers%u201D were given last year, how many of those 8,129 are home and safe! How dare you belittle these brave people for VOLUNTEERING to give the ultimate sacrifice to their nation! You were drafted, and I%u2019m sure had no intention of volunteering you life! You should be giving these HEROIC SOLDIERS and your country a huge apology! Lately after hearing your segments, my thought has been %u201Che should retire while people still respect him%u201D. YOU LOST THAT OPPORTUNITY SUNDAY NIGHT!!

[deadalphas]

Tony Blair was quoted as saying that one can judge the quality of life in any particular country by counting the number of people who want in and comparing it to the number of people who want out.

One can employ this test to accurately judge the quality of our military. Swelling the ranks with men who want nothing to do with the military will not "change the United States Army for the better." It will only provide the military with cannon fodder who's first experience as legal adults is to be stripped of the very freedom of choice our nation so proudly boasts of in its rhetoric.

The military draft is a foolish and dangerous idea that should never be revisited.

[sprocket57-2009]

Many who've commented here are concentrating on either having been insulted, or fear of a draft. But, Andy R's 2 points behind his conclusions are accurate:
1) WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH PERSONAL PERCEPTIONS others have about us; especially since our current war has proven there are limits to what we can accomplish through might. 2) WE NEED TO STAY PREPERED FOR WAR TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
Andy also implied 2 points: 1) Military service is not too much to ask for the privilage of living in this country. 2) Military leadership must be ethical. Now my own personal note: I have personally known men, & heard of others who had to fight dishonorable discharges after refusing to do something illegal when requested by a sargent in the Korean War. It only takes a few jerks to give all military leadership a bad name.

[sprocket57-2009]

Many who've commented here are concentrating on either having been insulted, or fear of a draft. But, Andy R's 2 points behind his conclusions are accurate:
1) WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH PERSONAL PERCEPTIONS others have about us; especially since our current war has proven there are limits to what we can accomplish through might. 2) WE NEED TO STAY PREPERED FOR WAR TO MAINTAIN PEACE.
Andy also implied 2 points: 1) Military service is not too much to ask for the privilage of living in this country. 2) Military leadership must be ethical. Now my own personal note: I have personally known men, & heard of others who had to fight dishonorable discharges after refusing to do something illegal when requested by a sargent in the Korean War. It only takes a few jerks to give all military leadership a bad name.

[syringa1]

I sure was dissappointed in Andy Rooney's segment on Bring Back the Draft?? Shame on you, Mr. Rooney on your comments on our servicemen and on reinstating the draft. I lost ALL respect for you and for your comments.

[syringa1]

I sure was dissappointed in Andy Rooney's segment on Bring Back the Draft?? Shame on you, Mr. Rooney on your comments on our servicemen and on reinstating the draft. I lost ALL respect for you and for your comments.

[wilangus]

I have to agree with Wake55. Send Barbara and Jenna over there and see how long we stay the course. Getting back to the subject, Let us look at some of our educated leaders, Look at Nixon, Clinton, Bush2, Look at Agnew, Gary Hart,Karl Rove, These are educated leaders. I agree that people that have an education generally make better decisions than uneducated ones, But there are exceptions, take yourself ANdy, you profess to be educated, but what came out of your mouth Sunday evening was about the most uneducated remarks I have ever heard. I thank God for our troops educated and otherwise, Most veterans feel it was an honor to serve their country, not like you , who had to be drafted and hated every minute that you served. From the sounds of your experience you were one of those that perhaps thought that you were above serving your country. You don't sound like you felt it a privilage, and certainly not your duty to serve, HECK NO, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DRAFTED, WHY FOR GOODNESS SAKES, YOU WERE EDUCATED, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT AT HOME AND LET THE UNEDUCATED FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM. FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH SO YOU COULD SIT ON YOUR ROYAL RUMP AND TELL THEM WHAT A BUNCH OF NO GOOD BUMS ALL THESE UNEDUCATED SOILDERS ARE.