Researching the pros and cons of reinstating the military draft is an interests me because many of my friends have been, or are currently enlisted in the military. My grandpa enlisted in the army during the Korean War for a few years and told me many stories that intrigued me. This controversial topic does not really persuade my values because I already know which side I abide with and does not change how I feel about the other side of the argument. I am thoroughly interested in this topic because everything I know and have heard about the military was without a draft. I am interested in doing research to find out about how the draft works and how it will affect people everywhere if it becomes reinstated.

Based on Charles Rangel's opinions in the first article that I found, the return of the draft is a wonderful idea that will benefit many people and our society as a whole. Rangel believes that reinstating the draft would bring awareness to the military men and their families as well. When families realize that their children are being drafted into the military and placed in harm's way, there is more caution and a greater willingness to help the community during wars, including the war with Iraq. Another reason Rangel believes in reinstating the draft is the fact that it will bring greater awareness of the consequences of decisions to go to war. Seeing that the war against Iraq recently has severely strained our military resources, the need for troops continues to increase while the number of people enlisting are not increasing. The major values at stake that Rangel approaches are those of anyone eligible for drafting, focusing on the younger men of the nation. As of right now, men are not required to enlist for drafting when they turn 18 but reinstating the draft would cause them a chance to be chosen. Many men have families at early ages with children and wives that they will be forced to leave behind to face danger for our country. Other men are not stable in their lives quite yet and not mentally ready for the things they would be facing if they were drafted into any branch of the military. Rangel does not reveal the other side of this argument and does not keep everyone in mind when making his points in this article. Although he only highlights one side of the argument, Rangel is a reliable source and deserves the credibility that he has as of right now. Charles Rangel, an initial founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Korean War veteran, currently serves in the House of Representatives for New York City. He bases many of his decisions and inputs to congress on his want for equal rights and equal opportunity. As a veteran of the war he can speak with a biased mind on the circumstances of the draft, because he has also witnessed it from the other side.

On the contrary to what Charles Rangel believes and brings to the spotlight of debate quite frequently, the fact that the military draft is unnecessary still remains intact. James Lacey, Director of war policy at the Marine Corps University, refutes Rangel's debate and argues that the draft does not need to be reinstated in the United States. Lacey holds a PhD in military history and currently works at the official Marine Corps base directing the war policies following his 12 years of active duty in the services. Cutting straight to the issue; the first point brought up is the fact that the Joint Chief of Staff for the military isn't asking for the draft to be reinstated seeing that we don't need any more service men/women. Many people think that since the draft is not in effect right now that most of the military is composed of economic refugees which can be argued. Every member of the forces has received a high-school diploma, which reflects the large middle class of America. Mainly focusing on the fact that reinstating the draft might cause an overage of troops can cause engagement in useless battles which history has demonstrated more times than none. Another large part of reinstating the draft is the cost of training somewhat 1.5 draftees per year. For equipping and training a force is around 3 trillion dollars which would have to be repeated yearly. 

Even though many kinks in the system would have to be fixed if the draft was reinstated, the article by Christopher Clausen highlights each issue with ways to overcome them as well as other options available. Mostly informational, the article makes its main points based off previous methods for the military and decisions that changed the troops for the better. The article states that reinstating of the draft as more detrimental than anything George Bush and his administration ever did. Risking over 1 million lives to be drafted back into the military isn't worth the excess troops and the domino effect it would have on everything else that needs to be fixed in the military. The article puts the major values of the men who would be drafted at stake, taking into consideration the change and effects it would have on each and every one of them (and their families as well) making it seem not worth it. Willing people that are wanting to be drafted and become American troops take their place and transform our militia into what it is today without forcing anything on anyone. Christopher Clausen is a professor of English at Pennsylvania State University and has written a couple widely known novels mainly about culture. His credentials give more credibility to the facts stated in his article and the knowledge that he supports as well.

The question of, should the military draft be reinstated is questionable on many levels and can be argued both ways. Although the draft has not been instated for many years and there has been no need for the draft, the war in Iraq has started to deplete American troops and resources, making a statement for the draft to be reinstated just in case. Many volunteers are being trained for the military every day without a draft, so needing one is not crucial to the United States militia, it could help us in more ways than one. Each side can be argued by higher powers to make them stronger as well. I agree that if the draft is reinstated that the number of troops will be way more than needed for combat overseas, also wasting the military's money to train each and every one of them. I do not agree with the fact that the draft will raise more awareness for the military and the consequences of going to war because most everyone of age knows about these dangerous consequences and makes their decision to enlist based on what they know. I might need to go more in depth on my research question to make it more specific, seeing that each side is so controversial and debatable in the news right now

