In general use, we think of the “the 1%” as referring to those Americans with the largest concentration of wealth. Once a year, we honor a different top 1%: those Americans who volunteer to serve in the armed forces. It should not be just on Memorial Day that this 1% receives our admiration and utmost respect.

Unfortunately, the volunteer force has increasingly become isolated from the majority of the country. In fact, that was one of the reasons it was created. Neocons knew that, after Vietnam, it would be difficult to go to war again with a conscript army. They were right. Americans would not have supported the Iraq invasion if there was the possibility that their children would be called to fight. For that reason alone, I support bringing back the draft.

There are other, equally compelling reasons:
• 77% of our youth do not meet the physical, educational or legal standards required to serve, according to Mission: Readiness. They are obese, lack high school diplomas or have felony convictions.
• Returning to the draft could help end the nation’s divisions. When you serve with people from all across the nation, you come to realize that we are more alike than different.
• The military is too small for everyone to serve. Only the most qualified should be offered that opportunity. After boot camp, where recruits would get physically fit, earn a high school diploma or community college credits, the majority could serve in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, as volunteer firefighters, etc.

Douglas Robb
Bath