As expected the Army has missed its recruitment goal by 25% for May. This after revising their monthly goal numbers lower, as not to appear worse then the 1/4th these revised expectations reflect. The National Guard and Reserve have had similar problems filling coffers with fresh bodies to fight a war still lacking an overall mission and strategy. The marines are so desperate at this point they are resorting to kidnapping, lying, and aggressive intimidation tactics to secure fresh bodies. Does anyone else feel a draft?

You better, and it is a breeze that is swirling under the radar that parents and students should be feeling like a tingle on your skin. As the neocons continue and rattle sabers with Iran, threaten North Korea, watch China build it’s empire, and inflame terrorism as a result of the Iraqi invasion; America’s all volunteer army remains in dire condition. According to Retired Army Colonel Jack Jacobs, the military ranks are now resorting to retaining high school dropouts, drug addicts, pedophiles, and the otherwise banished from society groups, as defenders of freedom. Troop deployments have forced soldiers into a third tour of duty and continue and pressure military families at home to survive on limited economic resources. Republican Governor Rick Perry of Texas told gay and lesbian veterans that if they don’t like anti-marriage laws in Texas then they can leave the state last Sunday as he was pandering to the religious right. The Pentagon discharged a wounded gay sergeant after requesting to return to duty as an “out” soldier. Our priorities are misguided at best, completely lost at worst. Either way, if the majority party does not shift back into reality as soon as possible, a draft will be the only method capable of retaining this neoconservative democracy installation project in the Middle East. That means, as happened during Vietnam, middle to poor class students will be supplementing another political war.

William Thrower Sr., a retired sergeant major living in Arlington, Texas, served over 30 years actively in the United States Army. Mr. Thrower, a young African American from Georgia in 1963, voluntarily signed up and served two tours in Vietnam. When asked his opinion on the draft it was his firm belief that it is not likely at this time; however, he does believe it would be a good thing for young Americans to experience. When he retired in 1991, the sergeant major learned shoe repairing and opened his own business as a result. The Army taught him skills he would have otherwise not received: discipline he sorely lacked, the strong character he wanted, and the responsibility he needed to be a productive member in society. The walls in his store are covered with memories of his 30+ years of service. Most striking to me was the poster of a weeping man leaning on the Vietnam War memorial. His shadow reflected soldiers in Vietnam era uniforms reaching out to touch the emotional veteran. That picture helped me to reflect on the many youth who were drafted during Vietnam, many our ages and much younger. I began to think of the feelings they had in the pits of their stomachs as they continued to witness Vietnam slowly slip into a desperate mission to save face. Like the students of the past, it is my belief that my generation is not prepared for a military draft. Nor are they paying as much attention as they should to the current foreign policy quagmire that continues to slip into a desperate mission to save face. Our generation is about to inherit the biggest foreign policy endeavor of the 21st century and many of us are still oblivious to the world outside of their own. Ladies and gentlemen, do you feel that draft?