Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Mandatory service in US military history

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Expert: - 7/9/2011


Question
My room mate and i are questioning the fact that the only time the US military/ government made service a mandate was during the vietnam war. I believe this was the only time Us citizens were obligated to serve against their free will due to the crisis at hand. please clarify.

Answer
Felix -

This isn't my area of expertise, but I'll give you the limited benefit of my experience.  I know they had the draft in WWII and Vietnam.  I don't think they had it in WWI, but they might have in Korea.

A note on your "citizens obligated to serve against their free will" comment.  The United States is one of the few countries in the world where military service is fully voluntary.  Many countries such as Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands, Russia, China and others have mandatory military service.  Although you may consider it an infringement of your rights to be forced to serve, it is that service that someone does for their country that keeps us free and gives you the rights you enjoy.

I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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