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Life in the USA Government and Law The Military
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The Military
Citizen Soldiers. While the United States has a fine military tradition, it does not have a military social class as in some other countries. Through most of its history, the United States maintained a very small army. During wars and national emergencies the country would institute the “draft” (conscription) where men would be forced to enter the army by law. The draft remained in effect for the 30 years or so after the end of the Second World War, through the relatively peaceful 1950's, then through the Vietnam War. The draft and the Vietnam War became so unpopular that, after the United States pulled out of Vietnam in 1975, the draft was abolished, though young men turning 18 must still register for the draft in case of national emergency. The Volunteer Armed Forces. Today, all the American armed services are entirely volunteer. They even use television commercials and advertisements to attract recruits. The services are now made up of professionals, prepared to fight the high technology wars of the late 20th century. More and more women are joining the services, and there is also a high proportion of minority group members. Many young people join the military to take advantage of educational and job training opportunities.
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