Misconceptions about volunteer military

I am offended by those who attempt to divide our society by suggesting that our wealthier citizens shirk their duty to their country ["Draft is a social leveler," Letters, June 8]. And I do not believe that the "social leveling" effect of a draft would affect future decisions to go to war.

We had a draft for much of the 20th century. It did not prevent our participation in wars in Korea or Vietnam, among others. Many of our recent presidents served in the military, and their service did not prevent them from engaging our nation in war while in office. There is no draft now. Therefore, our less wealthy citizens are not forced to serve, nor are our wealthier citizens evading their responsibilities.

People join the military from all economic strata of American life, and for many personal reasons. My niece recently completed her first year at the U.S. Naval Academy. With a lawyer for a father, some might consider her from a privileged background. Top of her high school class, she had other life options but chose the military in part because of my husband's death in the Sept. 11 attacks. She is not alone in making this choice.

Leslie Dimmling, Garden City
 

I feel compelled to rebut the ignorance of yet another letter writer who clearly believes that it is only the children of the poor and indigent who enter into military service because they have no other options.

Last September, Defense Secretary Robert Gates keenly noted that even after Sept. 11, "in the absence of a draft, for a growing number of Americans, service in the military, no matter how laudable, has become something for other people to do." While New Yorkers have long been supportive of their service members, surprisingly few have heeded the call to military service.

I grew up on Long Island in an average upper-middle-class family, and upon graduating college joined the Navy. Knowing the benefits and risks, I, like every other person who serves today, chose that path, because it is what I wanted to do. With all due respect to those who were drafted and served honorably in the past, military service is not for everyone. The key advantage of an all-volunteer force over a conscripted one is simple: professional soldiers, sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel who want to be there.

Duane Penfold, Williston Park

Editor's note: The writer spent eight years on active duty and is an officer in the Navy Reserve.
 

I don't think the writer who supports a military draft as a social leveler was around during the 1960s, or for some odd reason the draft didn't affect him.

I was in my late teens and learned about the draft's social leveling firsthand. The well-to-do and the connected young men received deferments, while the less fortunate did not. The well-to-do, usually by means of family donations or friends in the right places, were often able to gain admission to colleges while others were not. They were able to bypass waiting lists for reserve or National Guard units and stayed stateside, while the less fortunate found themselves in Vietnam.

I was in the military from 1966 to 1969. I know who served in those times, and believe me, there were no sons and daughters of the powerful and rich to be found. The concept of an equal, fair, unbiased draft system is pure fantasy.

William Ballance, Levittown