This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As a 30-year Marine Corps veteran, active and reserve, I second Ben Clark's motion to renew the military draft ("GOP veterans' cuts," Forum, Sept. 3).
First, America's military should reflect American society. That only happens when everyone is subject to military service. No leaving it to those with fewer opportunities. No religious or educational deferments. Rich and poor alike may be and are called to serve.
Second reason? If every American and American family had a stake in who was going to war, there would be fewer wars. With a draft, we would not have found ourselves in Iraq or Afghanistan or even be contemplating Syria.
Every young person or parent or grandparent would stop and ask: "Wait a minute. Is this worth sending America's youth into mortal combat and spending trillions of dollars?"
John Dwan
Salt Lake City