National Service (Public Virtue)

Q&A: Congressman Pete Stark

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Category: National Service (Public Virtue)
Published: Friday, 15 September 2006
Written by PT Editors
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PT talks to U.S. Congressman Pete Stark—co-sponsor with Rep. Charles Rangel of a House bill to reinstate the military draft—about concepts of citizenship, military recruiting and the prospective effects of a universal draft on foreign policy decisions.


Policy Today magazine cover
February 1, 2006

PT: What are the main consequences of our commitment to all-volunteer armed forces?

Stark: The fact that our all-volunteer army consists mostly of low-income Americans from rural and inner-city communities has a huge effect on our country. With most Americans and members of Congress not having family members, friends or neighbors fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, I believe that it is much easier for them to support going to war. Unfortunately, 99% of members of Congress do not have children fighting in either Iraq or Afghanistan. As a result, most are all too ready to commit American troops.

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Q&A: Professor Charles Moskos

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Category: National Service (Public Virtue)
Published: Friday, 15 September 2006
Written by PT Editors
Policy Today magazine cover
February 1, 2006

Lack of Shared Burden Bodes Ill for Country

PT talks to Charles Moskos, Northwestern University Professor Emeritus and military sociology expert, about national service, our evolving military and the rise of "patriotism light" in America.

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An Army of Some

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Category: National Service (Public Virtue)
Published: Friday, 15 September 2006
Written by Kennedy Smith
Policy Today magazine cover
February 1, 2006

Changing demographics in the U.S. armed forces could signal greater social shifts.

All it takes is some relatively quick channel surfing to see how the Pentagon is looking to fill its ranks. The Army's notable "Army of One" campaign; "The Few, The Proud, the Marines," the National Guard's "You Can" slogan, and others, promise the American public that first, the government takes care of its troops, and second, the average Joe is welcome with open arms.

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