Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Brother Buzz

(36,212 posts)
25. This dumb draftee is against it but the late Colonel Hackworth had some thoughts on a citizens' army
Tue May 14, 2019, 05:10 PM
May 2019

"Even when they pissed me off, I had to admit there was something I liked about the draftees who didn't want to be there and made no bones about it. I like draftees in general, even with the attendant problems. Historically draftees have kept the military on the straight and narrow. By calling a spade a spade, they keep it clean. Without their "careers" to think about, they can't be easily bullied or intimidated as Regulars; their presence prevents the elitism that otherwise might allow a Regular army to become isolated from the values of the country it serves. Draftees are not concerned for the reputation of their employer, the Army (in Vietnam they happily blew the whistle an everything from phony valor awards to the secret bombings of Laos and Cambodia); a draftee, citizens' army, so much a part of the history of America, is an essential part of a healthy democracy, one in which everyone pays the price of admission." - Colonel Hackworth, About Face

Selective Service queentonic May 2019 #1
I sure hope so! getagrip_already May 2019 #2
Spot on Traildogbob May 2019 #10
Whoa, get a grip DENVERPOPS May 2019 #12
Think deeper than a red plastic party cup. LanternWaste May 2019 #16
Vattel included something that should have been heavily emphasized: DFW May 2019 #24
how about we just don't have a war? nt Javaman May 2019 #19
Congressmen, especially republicans, will get their kids out of serving anyway. demigoddess May 2019 #21
It's not about congress or the rich.. getagrip_already May 2019 #22
This dumb draftee is against it but the late Colonel Hackworth had some thoughts on a citizens' army Brother Buzz May 2019 #25
Nope. They'll just deploy National Guard troops to MineralMan May 2019 #8
Question cheri010353 May 2019 #28
Anyone miss Mattis yet? watoos May 2019 #3
I certainly do... ADX May 2019 #17
"in the event that Iran attacks American forces" IronLionZion May 2019 #4
Working title BruceWane May 2019 #5
And so, Operation "Wag the Dog" Begins. MineralMan May 2019 #6
Just in time for the election left-of-center2012 May 2019 #9
Here we go again. FFS!!! RKP5637 May 2019 #7
Any ideas where one might put 120,000 troops and their equipment? underpants May 2019 #11
Qatar zipplewrath May 2019 #14
Yeah I should've figured that underpants May 2019 #15
Where is congress? Why aren't dems and gop alike calling for congressional wiggs May 2019 #13
"the proposal does not include a ground invasion, which would require many more troops" Baclava May 2019 #18
Well once people start to die Dan May 2019 #26
There wont be any war with Iran, all the trouble will be blamed on Yemen rebels Baclava May 2019 #27
Hope you're right... Dan May 2019 #29
Just like I predicted, 'Arab coalition carries out air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen' Baclava May 2019 #31
I love the idea of GOP having to defend more Middle East warfare beachbum bob May 2019 #20
Republicans won't be put off by another war trev May 2019 #23
My favourite line? robbob May 2019 #30
Plus B-52 bombers left-of-center2012 May 2019 #33
I hope the people who couldn't bring themselves to vote for Hillary are happy. yardwork May 2019 #32
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»White House reviews plan ...»Reply #25