If There Were a Draft

If There Were a Draft

It is complicated not to intelligently discuss the future of our military involvement with Iraq without the notion of a draft to arise. Although our presidential candidates and other government officials shun the issue of a draft and avidly display their negativity towards the idea, it is a feasible inquiry to ponder. What if there is indeed a draft? I, being a 16 year old student, know that if there ever is such a military draft, my particular age range would be in target for a good thirteen or fourteen years. I have contemplated the hypothetical scenario of myself, many years from now, being a mere 19-year old boy, opening a letter that summons me to take part in duty for my country; what would I do?

I can imagine myself opening that letter, and the feel of my young heart sinking into my chest. I am not made for war. I am not even made for football. I am not political and I certainly am not pro-war. I would see this call to arms as a call for the worst. Our country has finally had to fall upon scooping those who did not enlist out of there homes and into the arms of the great American machine of violence and destruction.

Ultimately, I believe, there would be nothing for me to do. I would go. What are my other options? I would never leave or hide away. Whether it was legal or not, I would not run from a draft. Although I would never enlist, if my country asked me to go overseas, I believe that I would. I would go because there is a great deal of respect earned in becoming part of the military. In the long run, it would be much more beneficial to take part in it rather to run from it. To run, I feel, would be cowardly. Although I would be terrified, I would still go.

As free as our country may be, certain decisions do not lie in our own hands. It is sad that no matter how much I would oppose the war or any of its aspects; this arbitrary system of choice would send me over an ocean and into the line of fire of an unknown people and unknown grounds. When led down to the cold decision, I know that I would choose to participate.

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