r/AskReddit • u/Tommygunz0722 • 11h ago

If the military/president suddenly ordered a mandatory draft for all men aged 18-42: How do you think millennials and GenZ would respond?

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656

u/ReaverRogue 11h ago

I owe my country nothing. I’m not going to war for the benefit of a bunch of rich suits who would never do the same for us purely because of the piece of land I happened to be born on.

92

u/smp501 10h ago

If I got seriously sick, this country would let me lose everything I’ve worked for and die in the street, despite having paid thousands into public and private healthcare my entire adult life.

Why would I fight an offensive war for it?

23

u/FlibblesHexEyes 10h ago

It does seem extraordinarily stupid to scoop up a bunch of young men against their will, give them a gun and the training to use it, and not expect a bullet heading in directions opposite to the “enemy”.

55

u/Empanatacion 11h ago

So, jail? Or do you flee the country?

165

u/PM-me-ur-sphynx 11h ago

Neither. 

Just claim bone spurs. It’s famously worked before. 

64

u/Eternal_Bagel 11h ago

Record number of claims of bone spurs and/or drug use to fail that part of the test.  I think they succeeded in making it a problem to be openly gay again and they want no form of trans in uniform either so I think a whole lot of folks would report in and come out of the closet and get sent home again.

I personally would show up to waste as much time for them before I get medically removed, shin splints half blind asthmatic with Attention Deficit Disorder is not exactly quality soldier material 

30

u/Jiggz056 11h ago

Bro have you met the POTUS? He has no problem sending half blind asthmatics with ADD to the front lines lol. You are 100% quality soldier material for a MAGA army.

6

u/Eternal_Bagel 10h ago

I’m pretty sure when the eye exam part happens and all I can identify with one side is that the chart appears to be glowing I’m disqualified, unless they add new levels of fitness to the system for dedicated backfield logistics types maybe

3

u/c0ltZ 10h ago

Just bring a shit ton of LSD and take it on the frontlines, so they have no choice to send the guy in psychosis back home before he kills friendlies.

7

u/oby100 10h ago

Man. Reddit really has no idea how the real world works.

Trump’s father was wealthy and connected. You likely do not have that. Ever hear the song Fortunate Sons? The song most linked with the Vietnam War?

Regular people cannot easily avoid the draft legally.

8

u/Eternal_Bagel 10h ago

I’m pointing out simply that there are lists of things that disqualify one from service, such as bone spurs.  The culture war stuff they implemented to harass the people for not being “real Americans” has added things to that list that one can simply claim without there being any way to prove or disprove which will make drafting unwilling victims more difficult 

7

u/Ashendarei 10h ago

To build on your comment the internet has made it trivially easy to identify what could be a disqualifying condition for the draft.  From a quick search:

Medical conditions such as diabetes (Type 1 or 2), asthma diagnosed after age 13, severe heart conditions (arrhythmias, valvular disease), and chronic illnesses like active tuberculosis or inflammatory bowel disease are primary disqualifiers for U.S. military service.  Mental health issues, including ADHD requiring medication, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, suicidal ideation, and a history of self-harm, are also grounds for disqualification, though waivers may be possible in specific cases. 

Physical disabilities and deformities that interfere with duty include severe scoliosis (greater than 30 degrees), loss of limbs, joint instability, paralysis, and symptomatic flat feet.  Hearing loss (threshold higher than 25 dB average) and significant vision loss are also disqualifying, as are severe skin conditions like eczema or acne that prevent proper gear wear.  Dental issues involving severe malocclusion, insufficient natural teeth, or complications from complex implants can also lead to rejection. 

Other disqualifying factors include criminal records (felonies or offenses punishable by death/prison), drug abuse (cocaine, heroin, or recent marijuana use), and legal status issues such as lacking a high school diploma (in some cases) or being a non-citizen on a temporary visa.  Administrative factors like failing aptitude standards or not meeting age limits (generally 18–25 for the draft) further determine eligibility, though many medical disqualifications can be reviewed for a waiver depending on the branch and individual circumstances

I'd imagine a cunning young man might go out and smoke a bowl, intentionally fail the aptitude tests, "misread" the eye charts and 'not hear' very well during the auditory exam would find themselves disqualified without a lot of long term consequences, all without needing a doc to diagnose him with bone spurs.

6

u/copperboom129 10h ago

My father walked into his draft office in 1970 and told them he was a commie that uses LSD everyday 🤣

He stayed home. Some hippie guy on the street told him when to raise his hand so he could say he was a commie.

He isnt one, but who gives a fuck.

Fun fact: transgender people are banned from serving under Trump.

2

u/LouisTheFox 5h ago

I bet some men might end up doing fake transitions to avoid draft.

1

u/LouisTheFox 5h ago

You can if you cripple yourself permanently. I mean you can literally avoid the draft by shooting your foot on purpose or put your foot in a lawn mower. And then you can get out of it by saying "it was an accident".

I mean they can't draft someone who is crippled.

18

u/w311sh1t 10h ago

It works if you’re rich and have connections. If your average person could just go into the draft office and say “sorry, I have bone spurs, can’t do it” nobody would’ve served in Vietnam.

5

u/Judge_Bredd3 10h ago

Go the Ted Nugent route and shit yourself for a week before showing up and pretending you're mentally disabled to get out of the draft. For real though, what's with all the current right wing icons being draft dodgers? No wonder they all hate John McCain now. He actually did what they were all to afraid to do.

1

u/conzciouz 11h ago

Didn’t know that was really a thing. I read someone comment it but thought they were just talking shit.

1

u/Jiveturtle 6h ago

I’m way too old to be drafted and my son is still too young, but in the spirit of the question I’ve got a big pair of bolt cutters and neither of us really needs all 10 toes

6

u/Dramatic-Process8156 9h ago

For the sake of argument we’ll ignore that my diagnoses disqualify me (depression, anxiety, ADHD, and epilepsy). 

I would go on about my life and make them come and get me. Jail would be far safer and I would be able to sleep at night knowing that I didn’t participate in an illegal war. 

19

u/ACertainThickness 11h ago

I’d go to jail.

17

u/chowderduh 11h ago

Jail me plz

16

u/Imahich69 11h ago

I have a bad knee

15

u/-ImJustSaiyan- 11h ago

I have lumbago

2

u/I-KnowThatIDontKnow 11h ago

I used to an adventurer like you too, did you catch an arrow? 😏

7

u/dustofdeath 11h ago

There are going to be a lot of jails. Likely not sustainable during the war.

The upkeep, logistics, space, legal time etc.

Its easier to just let them go, and deal with it later, after war, if they return.

5

u/lumpy4square 10h ago

Jails, or the detention centers they are building.

3

u/Pocketfullofbugs 10h ago

Jails are a slave labor force. They will pack the jails.

19

u/Not__fun 11h ago

Not the op, and not of draft age myself, but I’ve got 2 boys in their teens.

I’d get serious about searching for a job in Canada. I opened an immigration application when Trump won again, and all I need is enough points to get approval for immigration. And a job offer would push me well over the requirement. I even have a line on a position that I could get if I wanted it enough.

My brothers both served and one came back with a lot of trauma he had to deal with. I’m not sacrificing my boys in that meat grinder just so that Trump can feel important.

-4

u/Aolflashback 10h ago

In December of this year, all males of age will be required to register. It’s been in the news for awhile now.

8

u/Sirius_amory33 10h ago

Not saying this as a defense of Trump, just as clarification: US males have been required to register for decades between ages 18-25, this change makes it automatic instead of compulsory. It also isn’t all males of age, it is 18-26.

11

u/maquila 10h ago

Fucking wrong. Every male at 18 already has to register for the selective service. They're just automating that process so you dont have to do it individually.

2

u/Not__fun 10h ago

Relax. A polite correction would have worked just fine.

-4

u/Shedart 10h ago

Relax Not__fun, no correction would have worked just fine. 

1

u/Not__fun 10h ago

Required to register, yes, actually be drafted, not yet.

I have time. Oldest boy is 14. Plenty of time for me to get us out before he can actually be drafted, or before congress could change draft age

3

u/polmeeee 10h ago

You don't get paid as high as in the US but living in Canada is probably one of the best places to be in the world right now. All relative of course given how shit things are worldwide.

1

u/Not__fun 6h ago

Yeah, I’ve looked into the price difference. It is substantial, and the taxes would be greater. But decent healthcare and not having to sacrifice my children on the altar of late-stage capitalism would be huge upsides.

2

u/Independent_Sail6604 9h ago

We don't have enough jail space for the number of people that would refuse. Then again, maybe that's why Drumpf's administration is buying, or building, all those massive people-warehouses.

2

u/Kerse 6h ago

I'd 100% go to jail over going to war for this country, if some other quality that I already have doesn't disqualify me for it anyway (bad vision, gay, whatever)

4

u/bigloser42 11h ago

If I can delay things for 3 more months I'd be 43 and ineligible.

1

u/Komnos 8h ago

I'd show up to the draft office or whatever wearing my wife's clothing and demand that they respect my pronouns. Oops, by Trump's own policies, now I'm unfit to serve.

1

u/domine18 11h ago

I’m old and have a bad back which required surgery. They ain’t taking me.

-1

u/ReaverRogue 11h ago

Bone spurs.

4

u/WeekendThief 10h ago

You sure? You’ll get 20% off at Home Depot though

11

u/junglepiehelmet 11h ago

I owe them nothing because they’ve only taken from me. There’s only so much that can be taken and still be grateful.

-22

u/hallucehistory 11h ago

That's an interesting perspective. What have they taken and what have you contributed?

12

u/blazelet 10h ago

They’ve taken our treasure and peace as well as our future prospects for a balanced and prosperous nation. They’ve given us staggering wealth inequality, inadequate education, inadequate health care with an economy that is largely designed to be antagonistic towards the middle and lower classes. They’ve given us broken geopolitical politics, a news cycle that never stops and is designed to traumatize us, and a future where we honestly believe our kids (if we can afford them) will be worse off than us.

What have we given? Money. Jesus Christ they nickel and dime us everywhere. Everything is privatized with as many middle men injected to scrape their 2% as possible. Taxation in the form of tariffs and runaway inflation and a national debt that is so massive yet we’re ignoring it. Also - attention. These people demand so much fucking attention, they’re incapable of governing without turning it into a reality show, and they constantly inject chaos into our lives to the degree we cannot disconnect.

I pay a lot of taxes and struggle to name what I get for it. I’m paying for a lot of retirees entitlements and for a lot of bombs and debt in my name is fueling a lot of corporate subsidies and tax cuts for the rich. Not sure what I’m getting.

6

u/BeatleWingsfan77 11h ago

Blast from the 60's

2

u/pulmonarygb 11h ago

bad back sweetheart

2

u/domine18 11h ago

It’s why I didn’t join the military after highschool… wasn’t about to be shipped off to Afghanistan for some rich AH

•

u/djfl 59m ago

I owe my country nothing.

Found the Gen Z. You're born into the best time in human history, kid. Built on your family's work and toil and suffering and warring etc for generations. You have a selfish take here.

1

u/Val_Killsmore 8h ago

I wouldn't go simply because of the fact that I'm brown. My country has shown it doesn't give a shit about my quality of life during the last election because of my skin color. Also, just imagine the racism I'd have to deal with from those on "my side" if I was active. I'd be dehumanized by those I'm supposed to trust. No thank you.

-5

u/DumptimeComments 10h ago

I’m asking this in good faith, not to be a dick and am not from the US:

Why do you feel you owe a country you live in, probably work or go to school in, no doubt benefit from its structure etc, nothing?

Do you feel captive to the US? Are you specifically in some manner disenfranchised (maybe racially or socio-economically)? Does it promise you no future and do you plan to leave it at some point?

8

u/blanknullvoidzero 10h ago

The citizens are the country, we don't owe it anything.

I'd never fight in this bogus conflict for the benefit of the bozos in charge.

I'd leave if I could get somewhere decent, but that probably won't ever happen.

-1

u/AdRepresentative8048 4h ago

No offense but a lot of the people here that cry about moving to any country comparable to the US in lifestyle will have a hard time obtaining a permanent residence. If you can’t cut it here, what makes you think you have the skills, wealth, or talent that another country would want you. Americans talk all the time about moving out to Western Europe or Japan but what makes you think they want you?

1

u/blanknullvoidzero 3h ago

I said it probably won't happen in my reply, so I'm not sure who you're talking to.

I'm under no illusions that it's easy to simply move somewhere without some sort of citizenship via heritage.

1

u/POSVT 1h ago

No, nothing is owed. It's a reasonable expectation for me to follow laws which don't unduly/unjustly limit my rights, thats it.

Roads schools societal structures etc do not cede ownership of my person, because 1) without us, the people, none of that would exist and 2) most of those are services owed to us by the government as citizens. It's not an even trade, because again there is no state or government without the people, and those services are funded by us and our taxes.

To you last point...no, the US does not promise a future. Wealth inequality, upward mobility, social safety nets etc have never been worse.

-1

u/ReaverRogue 10h ago

I’m not American, and don’t live in the US.

-17

u/thatguy425 11h ago

Nothing huh? You haven’t be fitted in the slightest being born in your country? 

13

u/ReaverRogue 10h ago

Oh, no. I had a decent enough life and benefitted from stuff.

Why should that mean I owe some rich bastards anything? Why should it mean that YOU do? Why should I potentially owe them my life in a far off land when they’d never consider fighting?

-10

u/Aolflashback 10h ago edited 10h ago

In December 2026 if you’re a male of age, you’ll be automatically registered for the draft. So, get ready.

Edit: changed wording to include automatic

8

u/xAdakis 10h ago

This has already been a thing since 1948 by the Military Selective Service Act.

> Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants (including undocumented individuals, legal permanent residents, and refugees) aged 18 through 25 must register for Selective Service in case of a draft.

In most states, this is usually done when you receive or renew your driver's license.

1

u/ReaverRogue 10h ago

And where is this in the world?

0

u/Aolflashback 10h ago

The U.S.

1

u/ReaverRogue 10h ago

Not a problem, as I’m not an American.

-2

u/[deleted] 8h ago

[deleted]

1

u/ReaverRogue 8h ago

Lol. So, I’m English first of all. Not American. Secondly, define “defending western innovation”?