The Disadvantages of a Military Draft

• Military drafts compel registration for service. military image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com

  A draft mandates compulsory military service for a segment of the population. During the Vietnam War -- the last time the United States used a draft -- the U.S. recruited men ages 18 to 35 via a draft lottery. Drafts usually allow exemptions for conscientious objectors, the medically unfit and those for whom military service would be an overwhelming hardship.

Economics

• Military drafts present economic disadvantages to both governments and recruits. Governments must pay to establish a draft board to review appeals and requests for exemptions. They must also pay for equipment and training for a large number of recruits. Recruits, on the other hand, will not receive as high a salary as volunteers; the military does not need to include a high salary as incentive to join.

Unwilling Recruits

• Forcing people to join the military who do not choose to has a detrimental effect on military and public morale. Drafted personnel are less willing to fight and to obey orders, and more likely to shirk their duties. Some may desert to avoid service. Drafts can also lead to public protests and civil unrest.

Unsuitable Recruits

• Though drafts allow exemptions for those who are medically unfit to serve, unsuitable recruits are still drafted. They may be better suited to a different job, or they may fall below the demanding physical standards of the military. Drafting a large proportion of soldiers results in a decrease in average aptitude and ability.

Avoidance

• Draft avoidance was widespread during the Vietnam War era. Depending on what circumstances allow for exemptions, potential recruits may choose to marry, become a parent, attend school or pursue a different career in order to avoid the draft. Draft dodging -- emigration to avoid a draft -- is also a common avoidance behavior.

Inequality

• People with the financial means necessary to hire lawyers or pay tuition in order to evade the draft are less likely to be forced to join the military. Poorer individuals who lack the funds necessary to avoid the draft will thus be unfairly over-represented in the conscript army. This inequality undermines the universal draft and is likely to lead to protest.

War

• Compulsory military service may make war more likely, as armies will have more recruits and a greater ability to replace casualties. Though such an undertaking would likely lead to civil unrest, politicians may be more willing to risk armed conflict or to openly declare war when they have a large conscript army at their disposal.