• imPastaSyndrome@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    2 months ago

    Not sure I understand how forced service through a draft. Is any different than voluntary service when your country is being invaded?

    The draft implies you don’t get a choice in the matter. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks the psychology behind people who Don’t want to be soldiers being pushed into being soldiers is going to be a healthy army

    • PugJesus@lemmy.worldM
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      2 months ago

      There are numerous reasons why one wouldn’t volunteer, but still willingly serve in a draft. Many people feel obligation towards their family, and volunteering would be abrogating that responsibility. The draft removes that issue of internal guilt. Furthermore, drafts can preserve needed skills at home - in WW2, volunteers were often turned away and told to wait for their draft card to turn up, because at that moment their profession was needed for the war industry.

      I would highly recommend reading the accounts of soldiers who have been drafted in wars that weren’t wildly unpopular with the domestic population and/or 20 year occupations.

      In WW2, the vast majority of our military forces were drafted, both US and UK.