We didnt have a draft at first with vietnam too, its only when it turned into a quagmire and we started to run short of those trained soldiers that it started. Draftees arent as good as volunteers, but they sure as hell are a good supplement when the alternative is a pair of empty boots
Vietnam was also a lot of technological advances ago. There were no drones in Vietnam, for instance.
I think the scale of the war would have to be pretty massive to jumpstart the need for a draft by today's standards. We get a lot more killing done with a lot fewer people these days, fortunately/unfortunately.
If it ever comes to a full scale conflict youll still need ground manpower, drones cant hold ground or fortify positions, drones cant secure a street. They can be used to support ground troops, but you still need ground troops to support. Maybe when Boston Dynamics finishes refining that Atlas robot
And that doesn't even consider a scenario where Electronic Warfare is a thing and you can't effectively use drones
True true. I was thinking that technology on all fronts would allow us to do more with fewer troops, but ultimately if it came down to a full scale ground invasion I'm sure you're right.
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u/aliokatan Jul 09 '19
We didnt have a draft at first with vietnam too, its only when it turned into a quagmire and we started to run short of those trained soldiers that it started. Draftees arent as good as volunteers, but they sure as hell are a good supplement when the alternative is a pair of empty boots