The latest budget submitted by the president asks for $15 billion to increase the size of the Army by 65,000. That's $230,000 per recruit. How much is Harvard these days? Even at $50,000 annual tuition and fees, it's less than what Bush is proposing to provide the Army with the people it needs.
And the Army needs people. It says it needs more high school graduates. Now 71% of the recruits are high school graduates. Six years ago that number was 94%. High school graduates are more likely to complete their training and meet their commitment. The Army has a novel plan for increasing this percentage. In fact, it has two plans - prep school during basic training and an on-line system and/or mentor system for those who would like to volunteer.
Then in the State of the Union speech Bush 'promised' that the families of soldiers would be able to use some of the educational and other benefits that soldiers earn. Need I say that many Congressmen think this is a good idea?
I may not live to see it. But the draft will return unless we figure out a better way to live on this earth.
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