Pretend they reinstitute the draft and you're eligible for service. Would you serve? Why? Why not?

I expect I would. As for why I can't really say. It just doesn't seem right to duck out when called on like that.

I think the point of a draft is that you don't get to make this choice...

Anyway, assuming it waits until I'm done with college, I'd try to get into an engineering thing, probably in the navy or something, before I get called up into the People's Occupation Army. Hey, it'd be good work experience, at least.

Some people decided to choose not to. Draft Dodgers in the Vietnam war for instance.

I'm assuming you mean we'd be infantrymen, not my current desk job.

Is America under threat? I mean, not some vague there's people who hate us, and we are being the police for their country. Is there some form of attack on my home possible, that having more soldiers would help fight back?

That's the only determining factor for whether I'd dodge draft.

I'm assuming Ou's talking about the current situation, with the US forces occupying Afghanistan and Iraq, and the president pushing for war against Iran. Not Canada invading with robots or anything (basically the only direct threat possible).

When you mean would we serve as in, would we go to Canada or use certain excuses to get out of it?

Personally, I'd serve, I can't say I'd be happy about it, and if I had the ability to use college to get out of it, I can't say I wouldn't (I do believe science and medical majors should have certain priority for avoiding the draft, since those are learned skills that are helpful in war) Though honestly why would I serve? Probably because I'm being forced to, but I believe that the draft isn't that crazy, that to get the freedoms of this nation (No George Bush jokes, whether you want to admit it or not, we have alot of rights in this country that others are not as fortunate to have), that sometimes we must be willing to lay down our lives to save this country (WW2 and the Civil War being good examples of times to use it, Vietnam and this war not being)

Personally I think we should use the system the Starship Trooper books have.

Edit: there I took WW1 out, no need now for an entire thread, based on a remark that was only a small examples to make a bigger point.

I joined without there being a Draft.

They Got me Hurt and fucked me out of my benefits cause I was only in Basic Training.

Even if I were Cleared for Duty I would rather go to jail then join again.

Unless by "this country" you mean "France" or "Belgium", then that isn't correct at all.

Mexico was totally gonna invade. Didn't you get the memo?

I honestly don't believe Germany would have stopped at France and England, I realize the "Mexico might invade the United States" thing was probably British propaganda to get us to join, I just believe that Germany would have came after us either way.

Honestly? I think I'd rather go to Canada or something. Physically, I'm unable to serve, so I doubt they'd take me, but I would rather go to jail. I will not put my life on the line for imperialism.

The OP stipulates that you're assumed eligible for service. I assume that means it overrides being asthmatic, blind, possessing of lady parts, or even *gasp* not heterosexual.

Three simple words:

I am gay.

Works every time.

Yeah, sadly I see that being the case.

You should practice just in case you do get called up. Can't be too careful.

It may be less of a disruption if you try to join another service or something. A Naval or Air Force service wouldn't be too much of an imperialism thing, and neither would make you wanted in your home country. I guess it might not work if you're physically unfit, but hey, with the recruiting standards now, it might work.

Or does the whole "join the navy to avoid the draft" thing not work?

I think this entire argument fails, unless we know the nature of the war and what our goals are. For example, if the draft is in the Iraq War, will the draft help us exit sooner? Or will we be staying and truly be an Imperialist power? The goal itself has to be known.

Until Ou contradicts me, I guess assume that it's the current situation and you know exactly what you do now. Also, you are eligible for the draft.

It's not as if people normally know exactly how these things are going to go.

But often times the Government sells the draft in a certain way, meaning while I doubt they'd go "Hey guys we're going to draft you for Iraq cause we need more troops!", they might say "We're going to draft people to increase the troop output so we can reach our intended goals sooner, thus ultimately ending the occupation by years"

Translations: We're in some deep shit here and the only way we can see ending it is to SEND MORE PLANES (that's an obscure reference).

WHAT'S THE VIETNAM WAR? LIBERAL LIES AND SLANDER!

For me, it all boils down to if theres a war or not, whether it has an end or if I might be trapped forever in an ever-extended tour of duty.
If its the war on terror, with a duration equal to the amount of time that hatred shall exist in the hearts of man and America consumes more resources than anyone else, hell no, I have things to do at some point before I'm fifty.
If its like WWII, with a specific, identifiable enemy to seek, beat back, go home, probably.

I honestly think I'd be more of a hindrance than an asset to the army, even if I could join. I keep seeing personifications of Fate and Murphy rubbing their hands in glee any time I think about the idea.

You're not a hindrance if you can catch a bullet. <_<

Also, they have non-combat jobs.
Kitchen work, communications, machine maintenance, paperwork jobs, etc.
I'm sure Alan could tell you more.

I intended this as more of a general discussion, not specific to Iraq. Though the current situation is covered in my answer.

And yes, people are magically able to meet all the requirements for being drafted. Asthma, blindness, deafness, even *gasp* gayness don't disqualify you for this discussion.

What if I'm a pro-choice, paraplegic, homosexual with downs syndrome and a small tail not unlike a monkey's?

Was I not clear or are you just being a smart ass? No, don't answer that.

No, you're clear.

Army needs bullet stoppers, don't give a damn who. Right.