How the Military Hurts the Poor and Uneducated

[peterd]

November 10, 2006: A constant in American politics is the assertion that the volunteer army is unfair, because it forces the uneducated and poor to fight, or starve. In actuality, the uneducated (and thus most of the poor) are deliberately excluded from the military. This is a trend that has been going on for over twenty years, and has not been interrupted by the war. For example, the percentage of enlistees from the poorest neighborhoods (those in the lowest 20 percent of household income), went from 18 percent in 1999, to 14 percent last year. The educational levels of American soldiers are well above those of the general American population of the same age and gender. Same with physical and psychological fitness. The American military, is basically a force of the above-average the discriminates against the poor and uneducated.

[MrDoublel]

So, THAT'S why Charlie Rangle wants to initiate the draft! So he can get his constituents in on the gravey train! That clever bastard!

[tits]

Where Rengle was going to proposed reinstating the draft for this very reason. That is that it would reintroduce more "middle class and wealthy" into the system. I don't know where that AH gets his data but my years in the system just as many middle classed white kids from wealthy families as it did minorities and underprivileged.

BUT the kicker was that this stalwart of Democrat Mantra is proposing the Draft after the threat was used to kick the Republicans butt. The stupid thing is that the very people who trounced Bush will probably applaud this attempt. Goooooooo Figure!

"House Democrat Wants Draft Reinstated"
www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,119204,00.html?ESRC=dod.nl

[MrDoublel]

I have met more than one guy that grew up in the bad side of town...and those same guys made great dad's for their kids making sure they got good grades and showed respect. Rangle wants to play some political game, just what game only time will tell...I have a feeling he wants to flood the military with liberal minded people thereby breaking the "hold" conservatives have on the military. And, it's a good way to divert attention away from the real issues, like the border/immigration and finding a viable solution to Iraq. Let the sheep worry about the draft and they won't be thinking about the real problems we face.

[tits]

the military is too small for the global threat.

When I enlisted there were 8.4 million of us and 1 million in reserve. In 2005 there were 1.9 and .6 million. We need to double the boots.

[MrDoublel]

I do agree that we need to add a division or 2 but still I'm not wild about the idea of restarting the draft. At least at this time. Just an increase in the size of the standing army.

[tits]

Do you think that it is the threat of going into war that is keeping the numbers down?

Who did the real damage, Clinton or Reagan? I mean where did the 7 million forces go?

As a former GS employee with USACHPPM's environmental arm, I was aware of just how large the expenditures us for non military actives were. It seems that at one time we were demanding over $300 million just to sustain the DERA/DERPA and USACHPPM environmental activities. How many more DOD dollars are spent for non defense activities?

[peterd]

Based on current situation Army needs at least two active two reserve divisions. Air Force would need active three wings of which which two should be heavy airlift, plus two more reserve wings. Navy could use more sea lift capability and Marines at least couple more brigades. To fight insurgents, we need more special forces and ranger units with more helicopter transport and fire support. Closing Pope AFB is not good. Parts of the airlift command should be with the Army bases such as Fort Hood, Fort Stewart, Fort Riley, etc. Why transport trucks, tanks, and other equipment 100s miles away to the near Air Force base or ports, if you could have the units stationed there. I believe that is a political problem. Many seanators and congressmen don't want to see some of their useless posts, bases, and port closed because they would loose votes. Key word here is management. If we combine, military could save some money.

[MrDoublel]

Actually, the key word when it comes to base realignment and closures is politics. Using the word "management" with the word "congress" in the same sentence is, basically, contradictory. I just wonder why no one in Washington is talking about increasing the strength of the military. Hell, the USAF is currently reducing it's numbers.

[peterd]

They speak of management and some of them cannot even ballance their check books. In the political world to increase the military is political suicide. They want downsize until things hit the fan.