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Show Volunteer army may solve draft problems and company, and be getting rid of one of the most burdensome bureaucratic structures the federal government has been able to devise. Training More Efficient Finally, and to the military system most important, the training would be far .more efficient, and therefore, the quality of our military machine would be considerably enhanced. The training could be conducted all year round (without a war), keeping everyone well informed on the newest weapons and advances in military technology. Another factor is the type of war be it guerrilla, open skirmish or open season-type war. The enlisted personnel can learn all types, and, theoretically, become proficient in any situation that may arise. How does a nation make the tremendous transformation from a draft based armed service to a career system. First, the pay scale must be increased at least 300 per cent. It must also be able to ward a better campaign By James ft'. . ,; : Ever since the war ir, V ietnam reached the proportions where it became necessary to induct college students into the war effort, the mechanics of the draft system, indeed, the very concept of the draft, has been challenged. Not only was the method of selection questioned, but the morality and constitutionality of the very concept of involuntary service in the armed forces was denounced: intellectually, philosphically and politically. The alternative, which almost every major presidential candidate endorsed, was the volunteer army, or the career army. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to this proposed system. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is numbers. That is, can we maintain an armed forces large enough (however large they want it) to carry out whatever policy the United States is pursuing (surely not a static factor). But in the long run, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. As a matter of fact, that disadvantage is probably most vocal merely because it is the sole disadvantage (unless one wishes to introduce the fascist factor, that is, the Army is fascist, except for the poor draftee. Therefore, a career army would be a conglomeration of career fascists). However, the advantages can probably be catalogued under three main points. The first plus is motivation. In a volunteer army the warriors are there because they are doing their own thing. This may not be entirely true, but for the most part, they signed up to fight, protect the United States, or honor the flag, or whatever you think they do out there. What you won't have is a constant flow of draftees drifting in and out, all the time, grumbling. Second, and Congress should love this, it would be less expensive. Although the payroll would be much greater, you would be able to compensate for this by chucking General Hershey compete with the rest oi the nation's job openings. It must also offer educational opportunities. With this, the attraction to the high school graduate would be increased (which is not saying much) and the armed services would get a steady flow of intelligent, creative, and imaginative personnel some of whom will remain indefinitely, provided the next condition is met. There must be a great opportunity to advance. That is, an enlisted man must know that there is a possibility that he could advance to the esteemed rank of an officer. It must be made explicitly clear that the channel? of promotion are open to him. and that he is encouraged to climb the ladder- It is vitally important that the candidates realize the promises they make today must be fulfilled tomorrow. They h;:vc all paid lip service to the youi: ,y advocating the volunteer sysicrr. if the youih of this country don't have their expectations realized, we can easily expect draft dodging i increase, and alienation to grow. So. not only does tne issue involve military expediency, but the future of the United Slates' domestic tranquility- |