Should Australia consider conscription?
929461
no but i think compulsory service might solve some of our social issues...\n\nconscription is only useful when we are in a full scale war ie. vietnam
843155
It would not surprise me.  I have heard Military officials say that they need more people.  \n\nI am not opposed to re-instating the draft, even in peace time.  We had young men who were a lot more mature when they were alot more prepared for life.\n\nEdit-\n\nI am for the draft being re-instated, but only for men.  If a women CHOOSES to enlist, let her, but lets please not force our women into the Military.   Can we not respect  women like society used to.  You know in the day when a Man would stand up for a woman?  remember those days?  I have no problem with letting the men go out and shoot the guns and protect me.  That is how it should be, that is how God intended it.
821703
I believe it should be mandatory to serve a minimum of 2 years in Federal Service, meaning that after high school you may choose among military service, local beautification, helping homeless or handicapped, physical infrastructure construction, etc. Not everyone is military material and the military does not need that many recruits. Benefits and pay will be given for those two years in Federal Service. Although it would detract from our concept of freedom for two years, it would teach social responsibility and make Americans earn their citizenship rather having it because they just so happened to be lucky enough to be born here.
373852
I don't keep numbers of this sort, but I do read the newspaper, daily.  Two days ago, the army indicated that it had surpassed it's last recruiting quota.  All of the other services have had no trouble meeting quota.  The army has always had the biggest challenge because of it's size,  I believe the army may have relaxed some of its criteria for recruitment.  This certainly would have helped it to achieve its numbers.  No, this isn't a guess, unless the newspapers are getting bad info.
774131
It is not that we need a draft, it is a play from this gentleman, he thinks that congress and future presidents will be less likely to go to war, if there is a chance, their own children and kids from their home towns will be the ones fighting over there.  As of right now, no person who is high up in Government has a child in the military.  It is okay for my husband and others, but not for their children.  Also, there are a lot of young men that could use a wake up call.  To realize there is more to life than drugs, sex and drinking.  I think it is a great idea.  Your idea is also good, except there would probably be an increase in AWOL if convicted felons were sent to war.  I don't think I would trust my husbands life to a convicted person.  Your unit depends on the trust of every other soldier, and I don't know if that would fly to well with the other soldiers, having to depend upon a criminal, but if they worked in the kitchens and did janitorial work over there, that could be good.  It all needs to be refined.
1185881
I'd rather have ppl in the military who  WANT to be there, not someone who is FORCED to be in the service.\n\nAll males when they turn 18 are required to register for the draft. If a draft is called, and the male is chosen, he is then required to report for duty. In that sense, his service is mandatory.\n\nFurther, a mandatory service goes against everything the US fought for back in the Revolutionary War. Those ideas are still highly valued.
380140
Actually, the Australian military has a process specifically for active duty military personnel who are interested in serving in the Australian military. See the 'sources' space below for the web site.\n\nGood luck.
47025
I would not wait to be drafted.  But I have served my time during the "First Gulf War" and am now considered to old for military service.\n\nIf called back to duty - I would go without question.
476964
Actually how about putting every male graduate that DOESN'T graduate high school be required to join the military. I'd think that makes more sense.
969463
Maybe, but perhaps it should be like some other countries, where everyone who meets the physical requirements should serve in at least some fashion. If not the military, then some other form of public service. If they attend college, then that service would be delayed until after college.\n\n  I served in the Army National Guard, the Air Force, and the Air National Guard, and don't regret it one bit. I left for medical reasons, but served a total of about 6 years, with 4 of them active. Those who don't serve have no idea of the mindset of a soldier. We are the last to wish a conflict, as we know that we will be doing the fighting. On the other hand, we know that without us, our country would be defenseless.\n\n  A single tour is really enough, and we would have plenty of troops to fulfill our missions. It would be a great educational opportunity for everyone, and they certainly would better appreciate this land we live in, just as you mentioned.
752884
If by "support the troops," you mean, "bring them back," yes.\n\nIf there's a draft, I'll be relocating to Canada.  I'll be damned if I'm going to risk my life for some idiotic reason like an invasion of Iran.
961725
I Think It's One Human For Every 18 Kangaroo's\n\n\n\n\nAustralia's refugee admissions of about 12,000 per year \nare in addition to the normal immigration program.\n \nIn recent years, the government has given priority \nto refugees from the Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa. \nIn recent years, refugees from Indochina, South America, \nand today, the former Yugoslavia \nhave comprised the largest single element \nin Australia's refugee program.\n\nEmigration now also plays a role \nin changing Australian demographics. \n\nThe term, Australian diaspora, \nrefers to the 850,000 Australian citizens \nwho today live outside Australia. \nThis phenomenon is relatively new in Australia's history, estimated as having occurred over the last 40 years. \nAwareness of this demographic \n(almost 5% of the Australian population) \nis growing and supported by government initiatives.\n\nAlthough Australia has scarcely more than \ntwo persons per square kilometer of total land area, \nthis raw figure is highly misleading: \nmost of the continent is desert or semi-desert \nand of limited agricultural value. \n\nIn consequence, \nAustralia is one of the world's most urbanized countries : \n91% of Australia's population lives in urban areas.\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Australia#Population_growth_rate
685881
Only if it becomes necessary.  If a ground invasion of Iran or N. Korea became imminent, you can bet that the draft would be re-activated before the fact, not after the fact.
83977
This is a very good question.\n\nI do not think it should be required for citizenship, but I do think it could be tied into certain "benefits". I firmly believe that true service would help most people, lower unemployment (military training translates to outside employment), and lessen the "gimme, gimme, gimme a handout" crap that is very widespread. Why should people be given welfare when they are able bodied enough to serve in the military? Why should people squeeze money from the Fed for schooling, when they can earn that benefit by serving in the armed forces?
919023
With the Dems in I don't think it will happen- unless absolutely nec to defend our country and we are in a world war- but also its a huge question of the quality of ouer military personell- we do better with those who volunteer and want to go in- and are ready to do so that those dragged in by a draft.
302117
You don't have to be a citizen to join the army.  You do, however, have to be in this country legally.  It could be an idea to try to supplement our armed forces this way.  Though you could run into a language barrier problem
720531
i would accept all AUSSIES with open arms, for 2 reasons:-\n\n1) It would be great for Cricket...wow imagine such a fantastic team it would be...and\n\n2)Soooo many cute guys in India...wouldnt that be amazing .... hehehe ;-)