Forget Vietnam -- the future draft format: Special Skills Draft

[RandomUser]

I picked this article up from today's Userfriendly cartoon, of all places.

There's currently little support for bringing back the draft, but the Selective Service people are planning on using a "Special Skills Draft" as the model for future drafts. The planning for the logistics of enacting a "Special Skills Draft" will be complete in two years.

No more Vietnam type drafts -- they're using precision drafting of skilled people now, just like all those high-tech GPS-guided bombs replacing old-style massive carpet-bombing.

So, for Elad and all the computer tech people here, Uncle Sam wants YOU in the next draft. Maybe you'll get to pilot a UAV or launch a remote computer-guided missle.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/164693_draft13.html

Flahavan said Selective Service planning for a possible draft of linguists and computer experts began last fall after Pentagon personnel officials said the military needed more people with skills in those areas.

A targeted registration and draft "is strictly in the planning stage," he said, adding that "the whole thing is driven by what appears to be the more pressing and relevant need today" -- the deficit in language and computer experts.

The spokesman said it could take about two years to "to have all the kinks worked out."

The agency already has a special system to register and draft health care personnel ages 20 to 44 in more than 60 specialties if necessary in a crisis. According to Flahavan, the agency will expand this system to be able to rapidly register and draft computer specialists and linguists, should the need ever arise. But he stressed that the agency has received no request from the Pentagon to do so.

[RC]

1. I would wonder how many of these

"Special Skills Draft" people will get done in by road side bombs? The intent being to deplete this country of competent people that have the ability to setup & maintain their own web sites, setup/maintain servers, routers/switches, etc? :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[RandomUser]

3. They need more than canon-fodder

As the level of technology used by the army is modernized, they need people capable of maintaining it. And since they can't attract enough, they'll need to draft them. After all, someone has to program the precision missles, remote pilot and service the predator drones to fire missles, etc.

It seems like they're focusing on drafting people with computer skills, who will be free thanks to all their jobs being outsourced. And they also need people with foreign language skills.

So raise your hand if you're good with computers or if you know a second language.

[RC]

4. The intent is still to wreak the Internet in this country....

How many would know anything about the real bu$h&co without it.

[RandomUser]

5. I doubt that's the intent

but it might just be a fringe benefit.

[izzie]

2. That should make people want to study and learn the Middle East!

China? I am not worried as it is to Strong for us to ever to go to war with them.

[patricia92243]

10. Actually, Chinese would be the BEST language to learn. We will not be....

going to war with them - no need to - they will just take over. So, knowing the language of the "Conquers" might be a good idea.

[DarkPhenyx]

6. Makes perfect sense.

It's a much better use of resources. You don't hire everyone that applies for the job, and you sure don't hire a Biologist when you need an Engineer.

I applaud their planning. Hopefully they will never need to use it.

[teryang]

7. I think they should "outsource" these...

...requirements. They should practice what they preach. If they need these skills and servicemen and women underobligation can't fill these requirements then the armed forces should pay whatever the market will bear. This will help the employment markets.

Instead what they intend to do is shift the cost onto the individuals and families involved.

I also think that this sort of draft is arbitrary and will violate equal protection and due process protections. Either everyone is subject to the draft or no one. Equal opportunity for all, including women.

[Hoosier]

8. Yes

You are SPOT ON!

Maybe the DOD will setup a placement service in India.

[H2O Man]

9. On the draft, China, & war.....

.... if bush is elected in the fall (or if he simply refuses to vacate the white house) and the foreign policies of the far right continue, there will be a draft. The idea of a draft that seeks specific skills is an obvious possibility; in fact, there are other areas besides computer/language skills that would make sense. The comment on "cannon fodder" is very accurate: as bush wars expand, fewer poor kids will be joining the military. Domestic paranoia will increase. Despite the insight of the top military people, the bush administration will opt for a military presence similar to the British in Northern Ireland.
China is not and will not become an opponent in a war. China will continue to be identified as the "other" world power, and the economic competition between "us" and "them" will require a more aggressive military approach on the part of the far right. This is the reason you see bush putting in the US military in Afghanistan and Iraq. Protecting the oil supply, and building the base of future operations.
To understand what the future foreign policy will be under bush et al, you have to understand the relationship between the puppets and the puppeteers.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. Another benefit for the rich

Rich folks can just make sure their kids don't study computers and languages, and once again the rich will be insulated from dirtying their hands with military service, which many of them obviously think is meant for the poor and middle class, not for them.

[RhodaGrits]

11. What countries might accept conscientious objectors...

fleeing a draft?

I have looked into learning Chinese but haven't gotten beyond the Mandarin vs. Cantonese point. (I traveled through Guangdong province right before the SARS crisis and if you think your government was not involved in a coverup on that one, you are wrong.) Running to China would never be an option - they have no real civil liberties and the arrogance, bureaucracy and patriotic fervor of those with some power often reminded me of home. But I can see the writing on the wall.