The Air Force Flies Solo Despite very public worrying by all branches, only the Air Force among the military services failed to recruit and retain enough members this year to keep its active-duty ranks filled to the level required by Congress according to the Pentagon. The result has been an increasing number of calls for a return to conscription. The draft was bad policy during the Cold War and would constitute amazing foolishness today. For instance, renewed conscription would reduce the quality of new service personnel. Returning to the draft would also increase the costs of raising a military force.
Conscription is an expensive process-for individuals, government, and society.
For the armed services, a draft would yield higher turnover, thus increasing training costs. Also, because few conscripts choose to make the military a career, the Pentagon would have to hike reenlistment benefits. A draft would not improve the retention rate of skilled personnel or inculcate civic virtue. The Clinton administration's promiscuous use of military force in conflicts irrelevant to U.S. security drives many potential recruits away from and current career personnel out of the service. Furthermore, policymakers should adjust compensation and benefits to more successfully attract both new recruits and skilled personnel in the years ahead.