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Discussion

Effect of the Draft.

Heard and read a report from NPR that mentioned the President's new war adviser, Lt. Gen. Lute, considers the return of the draft a possibility.

What effect do you think the draft would have on nurses in the military? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

I'm not trying to start a discussion on the pro's or con's concerning the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm merely trying to gather ideas as to how the draft, IF re-instituted, could effect nurses in the military.

I'm wondering if this could potentially change the demand for nurses? And, what about the incentives to join or retain if the military were no longer an all-volunteer service?

Anybody's guess is as good as the next.

Featured Replies

The draft is for enlisted personnel, not officers, and nurses are officers in the military, so it wouldn't likely have any effect on nurses.

Of course, there's also no chance of a revival of the draft. One of the president's advisors just said something along the lines of you can't rule out the possibility of the draft, and it's getting all sorts of play in the press.

But the military doesn't want a draft, and Congress would never give it to them even if they wanted it.

  • Author
The draft is for enlisted personnel, not officers, and nurses are officers in the military, so it wouldn't likely have any effect on nurses.

Of course, there's also no chance of a revival of the draft. One of the president's advisors just said something along the lines of you can't rule out the possibility of the draft, and it's getting all sorts of play in the press.

But the military doesn't want a draft, and Congress would never give it to them even if they wanted it.

Good point about the draft targeting enlisted personnel. Thanks.

[delete]

  • Guides
The draft is for enlisted personnel, not officers, and nurses are officers in the military, so it wouldn't likely have any effect on nurses.

Of course, there's also no chance of a revival of the draft. One of the president's advisors just said something along the lines of you can't rule out the possibility of the draft, and it's getting all sorts of play in the press.

But the military doesn't want a draft, and Congress would never give it to them even if they wanted it.

Besides for the fact that the draft is only for males and most nurses are females...Even if they did start the draft there would be very few nurses eligible for the draft d/t sex and age. I think the draftable ages are 18-29 y/o.

And we have enough medical personnel to fill the deployment slots for now.

  • Author
[delete]

No derision, thanks.

No derision, thanks.

Hello,

I do not understand what you mean by the above, or what you are trying to say.

Since we are strangers, I need more from you to catch your drift.

Thank you,

Gen

  • Author
Hello,

I do not understand what you mean by the above, or what you are trying to say.

Since we are strangers, I need more from you to catch your drift.

Thank you,

Gen

The meaning of my comment was in reference to your comment about being pre-NCLEX. I thought your comment was derisive. Perhaps that was not your intention, but I'm sure there are people who would like to post questions in the hopes of gaining information without ridicule or derision.

As for NCLEX, done it.

I've got questions posted about the ER and OR on this site. I'm still waiting for a reply. I'm just trying to obtain information.

Also, I did appreciate the other responder who mentioned the draft and officers VS. enlisted. Coincidentally, I spoke with a Korean War Vet, who informed me that during that era doctors, as well as nurses, were drafted. Now, maybe the old fella doesn't remember as accurately as he once did, but he stood by his information. Me, I can't dispute him. I wasn't around during the Korean War. That was pre-NCLEX.

  • Guides
The meaning of my comment was in reference to your comment about being pre-NCLEX. I thought your comment was derisive. Perhaps that was not your intention, but I'm sure there are people who would like to post questions in the hopes of gaining information without ridicule or derision.

As for NCLEX, done it.

I've got questions posted about the ER and OR on this site. I'm still waiting for a reply. I'm just trying to obtain information.

Also, I did appreciate the other responder who mentioned the draft and officers VS. enlisted. Coincidentally, I spoke with a Korean War Vet, who informed me that during that era doctors, as well as nurses, were drafted. Now, maybe the old fella doesn't remember as accurately as he once did, but he stood by his information. Me, I can't dispute him. I wasn't around during the Korean War. That was pre-NCLEX.

Okay, after doing some research I did find some interesting facts on the web:

1. I didn't find anything that said women have ever been drafted in the U.S. (I could be wrong, but I didn't find any information on drafting women).

2. There is a provision on the books to draft all needed healtcare professionals if needed.

3. Now nurses could have been drafted during the Korean/Vietnam wars, but they were probably males.

Here are a few interesting links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_States

http://www.sss.gov/FSmedical.htm

http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/BWOHistory.html

http://www.anesthesia-nursing.com/wina2.html

WTB-

No offense, but in the Navy the sexes are divided 50-50 males and females.

LCDR Dan

  • Guides
WTB-

No offense, but in the Navy the sexes are divided 50-50 males and females.

LCDR Dan

Dan,

No offense taken at all. I was just referring from the civilian perspective where the female nurses still out number us guys by about 80%/20%.

The meaning of my comment was in reference to your comment about being pre-NCLEX. I thought your comment was derisive. Perhaps that was not your intention, but I'm sure there are people who would like to post questions in the hopes of gaining information without ridicule or derision.

As for NCLEX, done it.

I've got questions posted about the ER and OR on this site. I'm still waiting for a reply. I'm just trying to obtain information.

Also, I did appreciate the other responder who mentioned the draft and officers VS. enlisted. Coincidentally, I spoke with a Korean War Vet, who informed me that during that era doctors, as well as nurses, were drafted. Now, maybe the old fella doesn't remember as accurately as he once did, but he stood by his information. Me, I can't dispute him. I wasn't around during the Korean War. That was pre-NCLEX.

Hello,

I still have no clue what you are talking about. Derisive? You mean as in insulting? That is not my base of communication.

Possibly you are projecting from your own innate style.

I still have absolutely no idea where you are coming from or even how your reply here applies.

No worries though, I realize enough from your reply to know that we are not operating under the same principles.

Feel free to not reply back, as I REALLY have no CLUE what you are talking about.

Best,

Gennaver

  • Experts

I don't know about the Korean War, but in the Vietnam era, a lot of docs got their education via the "Berry Plan". Bottom line, the military helped pay for Med School, so after their internship/residency, they "owed" military service. So they weren't exactly drafted.

Likewise, several students in my nursing school signed up w/the Army to pay for their last year of school (and give them a stipend as well). They went in as soon as they graduated. And many went straight to Vietnam. And had the post traumatic stress d/o to prove it.

BSN students could sign on to Army, Navy and Air Force as ROTC candidates, same deal.

ETA: I forgot that a lot of men got their draft deferred b/c they were in school, including med school, then got their draft notice after graduation.

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