The pending legislation

Congress is currently mulling a proposal to impose a mandatory period of military service on all U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 26. Twin bills called the Universal National Service Act of 2003 were introduced last year by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Sen. Fritz Holling (D-SC).

“It was really introduced for two reasons,” said Andy Davis , Sen. Hollings' communications director. “The bill was introduced in January 2003, which preceded our intervention in Iraq. Sen. Hollings could tell we were on the march to war, and the question was, ‘are we, as a nation, prepared for war? Do we have the financial and military resources to meet war's demands?'”

Tougher to dodge

Davis also noted that the proposed draft would extend to all economic and social classes , and most of the loopholes that allow for exemption will be closed.

“A parallel reason was to better distribute the burden of shared sacrifice,” Davis said. “Historically, the military has been the chief employer of those in the limited socioeconomic class.”

In addition to the middle and upper class, the proposed draft would apply equally to women .

“All women would be subject to service,” said Emile Milne , press contact for Rep. Rangel. “Women have certainly proven themselves to be of great value in times of war. Mr. Rangel sees absolutely no reason why they should be unable to serve with other Americans.”

And unlike the Vietnam War era, continued education or Canadian refuge is not an option .

College or university undergraduates can only postpone service through the end of their current semester, and seniors are allowed to finish up the year. High school students are exempt through graduation.

In December 2001, the United States and Canada signed the Smart Borders Declaration , which is designed to more closely regulate the flow of traffic into Canada. The heightened security measures involved will be used to identify and restrict those looking to evade military service.

Need for more troops?

According to BBC News, the country's military reserve is “stretched to capacity,” and projected re-enlistment is at an all-time low. But with the U.S. engaged in an ongoing war on terror, many say the need for more troops is inevitable.

The deployment periods of some units have been doubled, and tours of duty are being extended by up to a year. Marines have complained of fatigue, and an Army publication, Stars And Stripes, published a poll finding less than half of its soldiers are likely to re-enlist.

Under the radar?

It's been suggested by the BBC that, aside from the pending legislation in the House and Senate, efforts to restore the draft are being quietly advanced by the Bush administration .

A recent BBC News article indicated that a successful reinstatement of the draft, which must be signed into action by the president, would be “disastrous” for Bush if it occurred during an election year.

In November, former Defense Department employee Daniel Ellsberg , who leaked the Pentagon Papers to the media in 1971, spoke at Amherst College about the pending bill's implications. Ellsberg said he thinks Bush would ratify the bill if elected, and that he would use the draft to extend the war on terror to other countries.

Those who do believe conscription is making a quiet return are pointing to two principle factors:

• Reported increase in Selective Service's annual budget

It was reported that the Selective Service 's 2004 budget was increased to $28 million, allegedly to help ensure the draft process is fully functional by March 2005. However, according to SSS public affairs specialist Alyce Burton, the budget approved by congress is $26.1 million – a $380,000 decrease from last year.

The Selective Service would oversee the selection process in the event that the draft were reinstated, and has been prepared for the return of conscription for over a decade.

“We've not done anything new this year,” said Burton. “We are prepared to enact the draft, which we have been since the Selective Service came out of ‘deep standby' in 1980.”

• Pentagon begins filling draft board positions

On its Web site, DefendAmerica , the Pentagon placed an advertisement recruiting volunteers for both draft and appeal board seats, about 80 percent of which are currently vacant.

The Web page , which advertised that “positions are available in many communities across the Nation,” was removed shortly after being brought to the attention of the press.

Silent support

Not every reaction to the proposed legislation has been negative. In fact, Milne said that Rep. Rangel has been approached by numerous members of Congress who express their support for the bill.

“Mr. Rangel has had many members (of Congress) support the idea,” said Milne, “but it's not something they're prepared to lend their name to politically at this time.”

Future of the bill

Presently, the bill is pending in the House Committee on Armed Services.

“Right now it's not moving in the House,” said Milne, “but it's something that's captured the attention of many Americans, and continues to do so.”

Links:

Rep. Charles Rangel
Sen. Fritz Hollings
Smart Borders Declaration
Recent BBC News article
Daniel Ellsberg
Pentagon Papers
Selective Service
2004 budget
DefendAmerica
Web page (DefendAmerica's)