Experts considering the draft say the US military is unprepared for a major conflict.

Is the U.S. Military Ready for a Major Conflict?

As tensions escalate in ⁣the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war continues,‌ the possibility of a draft to bolster ⁤the depleted⁢ U.S. military is being discussed once again. However, according to Robert⁤ Kenny from the Selective Service System, there have been ‍no talks about reinstating⁤ a draft ​and no legislation has been proposed.

But The Epoch Times has conducted extensive discussions​ with former military officers and defense experts, revealing that the readiness of the U.S. military is not just affected by the potential draft, but also by issues such as obesity and lack of ​combat experience. In other words, the current ​military is ill-equipped for a major conflict.

The Heritage Foundation recently released ‌its 2023 Index of U.S. ⁣Military Strength, which assesses ​the strength of ‌the armed forces. According to Dakota Wood, a senior research fellow at Heritage, the report indicates that the U.S. military is weak.

Wood also mentioned that implementing a draft would not only be⁣ politically challenging, but also due to ‌the⁣ limited pool of eligible candidates. “Seventy-seven percent of potential draftees are not qualified to serve due to issues like obesity, mental health, and asthma. That’s more than three-quarters of the available population who⁤ are ineligible,” he explained.

Another obstacle to a draft is the small number of prospective draftees ​willing ⁤to serve. “If we went to a draft, ⁤we’d have to pull people from the general population who ​have criminal records and weight problems,” added the retired Marine lieutenant colonel.

The U.S. military is​ facing a significant ‍manpower issue, with 39 percent fewer members compared to 1987. This year, the U.S. Army, U.S.‌ Air Force, and U.S. Navy are all projected to ‌fall short of their recruitment‍ goals.

With allied countries engaged in prolonged conflicts, discussions about the potential of a draft have increased on social media. An article by the⁣ Mises Institute, a group‍ of Alabama libertarians, has gained attention online, along with a publication from the‍ U.S. Army War College.

However, Dr. Max Margulies from the Modern‍ War ⁤Institute⁤ at West Point believes that several conditions would need to be‌ met for the U.S. to consider a draft. “A draft would be a very heavy political decision, unless we faced a war with⁣ a major‌ power like Taiwan or Ukraine,” he explained. Margulies ‍emphasized that a cataclysmic ⁣event would be necessary for the U.S. to even entertain the idea.

Despite the challenges, there⁢ are concerns that drastic measures​ must be taken to strengthen the U.S. military for a prolonged conflict. Retired Army Major General Dennis Laich argues that a⁣ draft is necessary for national security and calls ‌for ‍a debate on the issue.

Lt. Colonel Wood agrees, stating that ⁢the current military ​cannot adequately protect⁣ the nation’s security interests. He believes that a crisis may⁢ be needed⁣ to ⁣motivate people into action, but questions whether there is enough time to respond.

⁤ How does combat experience affect the⁣ readiness of the U.S. military?

Ll-suited⁤ for military⁤ service,” Wood stated.

In ⁤addition to health issues, combat experience is another aspect ‌that affects the readiness of the U.S. ‍military. Many ⁤military experts argue that the U.S. has been involved in prolonged counterinsurgency campaigns for the past two decades, which​ has reduced the number of troops with ‌experience ⁢in conventional warfare. This lack of experience in traditional warfare could pose⁤ a significant challenge if the U.S. were to engage in a⁤ major conflict against a well-trained and equipped adversary.

Furthermore, many ⁢defense experts⁤ point out the inadequate investment in modernizing and maintaining military equipment. The U.S. military’s ⁣technology and equipment are ⁣outdated, making it vulnerable against technologically advanced adversaries. This issue has been ⁢highlighted by the rapid modernization of countries ‌like China and Russia, leaving⁣ the U.S. lagging behind in terms of military capabilities.

Moreover, there‍ are concerns about the current ‍state of military readiness, including a lack of training and preparedness.‍ Budget constraints and the focus ‌on counterinsurgency operations have ‌affected⁤ the training of ⁣U.S. troops ⁢for conventional warfare scenarios. The military needs to invest more resources​ in realistic training exercises and preparedness for ⁤potential‍ major ⁣conflicts.

To address these challenges, it is crucial‌ for⁢ the U.S.⁤ government to prioritize the⁣ modernization of the ⁤military, both​ in terms of equipment and training. Increased funding is necessary to ensure that the armed forces are adequately prepared for​ a major conflict. Additionally, there should ⁢be a focus‌ on reevaluating and adjusting recruitment‍ and eligibility criteria to improve the ‍overall health and combat experience of military personnel.

In conclusion, the readiness of the U.S. military for a major conflict ⁤is questionable. Health issues, lack of combat experience, outdated equipment, and inadequate training all contribute to the military’s lack of preparedness. It​ is crucial for the U.S. government to take immediate​ action⁢ to address these concerns and ensure that the military ‌is ready to face ⁢any potential threats in the future.