If an individual is to put his life on the line in order to defend his country, then he should do so because he believes in the cause. However, when a young man is drafted into the war, he has little to no say in the decision. During the Vietnam war, two thirds of the American army were volunteers, but one third was drafted. Once men were of age, their names were put into a lottery and selected at random.
Although it involved random selection, the draft was not entirely fair. Many people tried to avoid or delay their military service. There were legal ways to do so- men with physical problems, men who were attending college, or men who were needed at home could receive a deferment. However, upper-class men appeared to have avoided being drafted without meeting any of these standards. Was the Selective Service being paid off to defer wealthy individuals? Was the lower-class being discriminated against? There are no definite answers to these questions, but it is no coincidence that American forces included 25 percent poor, 55 percent working class, and 20 percent middle class with very little upper class representation.
As a sixteen year old, my uncle snuck onto a bus that was full of new Vietnam draftees, in hopes of joining the forces. He believed that this was what he was meant to do, and yearned to protect and serve America and its ideals. Although he was caught and returned to his home before making it out of the country, my uncle's determination would have molded him into a great soldier. Contrarily, men who were drafted into war against their own will would have been less likely to put their heart and soul into their efforts. Why have an army comprised of men who are not even willing to fight?
Great post!
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