Volunteer Vs. Drafted Military
By: Wm. Michael Barber
Com/150
Dr. Lori Pash
Instructor
May 2, 2010
Volunteer vs. Drafted Military 1
Since the birth of our country the military has had a mainstay of volunteer and drafted
troops. This paper reviews historical aspects of a draft in the United States to discover the
differences between a volunteer versus a drafted military in the United States. To begin our
journey we need to explore when a drafted military first started.
In the American colonial period when forces were needed, they would ask every able
bodied male to form a militia, in their colony. These militias were organized to protect the
colony if a threat presented. At the time America began the Revolutionary War the army was
composed of enlisted volunteers. This type of military did not give General Washington,
enough soldiers to battle the British army. Militias at the time were poorly trained, barely
equipped, and in several cases their enlistments were finished in the most inopportune moments.
( Dtl. Military Report,2008, Department of Defense-Archives)
After George Washington was elected President, he sent legislation to Congress that
required all men to register for training, service, and assignment to a unit of the militia.
Congress refused to pass this bill. In subsequent administrations, Adams, Jefferson, and
Madison, legislation was purposed to Congress for passage. Again they refused
Volunteer vs. Drafted Military 2
In 1812 the British again invaded America. Congress authorized a volunteer army and tried
to entice more volunteers, by offering money and land, for 13...