now or in the future. Besides the questionable (IMO) constitutionality of compulsory service (13th amendment prohibits involuntary servitude), there simply isn't a need for a very large military like we had in past years. I also object because, like every draft in US history, any future one is bound to have exemptions to let too many people escape service while putting the burden on those without the resources or political connections to avoid service.

By way of comparison, some 16 million men (and women) served in the US military during WWII. Today's active military roster is less than 10% as large. Large scale invasions like D-Day would be very difficult to mount in a nuclear era because a single tactical nuke could take out thousands of people concentrated like that.

Modern technology has reduced the need for cannon fodder. A single WWII heavy bomber wing consisted of about 1600 men. They were necessary to support and operate a few dozen bombers like the B-17 or B-24. Those planes seldom flew more than one mission a day due to their slow speed. They could only carry 2-4 tons of bombs on a normal mission, required a crew of 9-10 men per plane, and weren't very accurate. As far as actually putting bombs on target, 1 or 2 F-15Es could do the job as well as or better than a wing of B-17s, only risk 2 people per plane, and can fly multiple missions per plane per day depending on the range. Not only that, they can do it in just about any weather.

The same is true for just about every weapons system in the military today. Across the board, weapon for weapon, today's systems are far more capable with fewer personnel than we needed in the past. A single aircraft carrier battle group has more striking power than entire task forces had in the past. Tanks are at least an order of magnitude more capable today than in the past. Even the individual infantryman's weapon like an M-16 can lay down more firepower than a WWII M-1 (carbine or Garand).

What we do need is military personnel who are motivated, well trained, and well equipped. The most motivated people are volunteers. Training takes time, and since the term of conscription is commonly 2 years, by the time a troop is trained and experienced, his time is up.