I don't think a draft is a good way of putting more men into uniform to fight wars, at least with the type of war that we're engaged in now. However, I absolutely do agree (and I've been saying tis publically on the list for as long as I've been a member) that Clinton's military cuts went too deep. I am partially reminded of the situation during the Interwar period (1919-1941), where the Army was drawn down to an almost token force, a cadre to manage rapid expansion when war did come. However, if it wasn't for the far-sightedness of people like Roosevelt, the US would have been in serious trouble when war did come, totally lacking in any medium tanks (FREX) and planning a war against an army that was one of the most advanced on the world at that time.
I think the situation in Iraq, plus the ongoing War against Terror, combined with the fact that national Guard units are being federalized in order to cover our commitments elsewhere (the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard is due to rotate out to the Balkans to serve with SFOR, and other units are going to Europe to man the bases there) I think indicates the overextension of the Army. Finally, if we keep asking our current Active units to stay deployed for extended periods of time, not only will this hurt morale, but the increased "operational tempo" will break down equipment and hurt training in other military operations, so that as a whole the Army will be less capable of transitioning from one operation to another.
Thankfully nothing happened in any other part of the world (like say Korea); with current deployments we would be incapable of meeting that challenge with the forces in theater (2nd ID, plus supporting elements), which is what the Clinton administration intended the smaller army of today to do.
Damon, we could use around 3 more divisions.
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At least 3 more. Retirements and discharges are reported to be frozen (not a very good sign), and the scuttlebutt I hear is that re-enlistments will be down. We're stretched mighty thin and Deus Volent, Rumsfeld et al will realize this and reactivate some of those divisions that had been disbanded after the end of the Cold War.
john
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