Most Americans oppose reintroducing the draft, while military and veteran families are more supportive of aggressively fighting terrorism around the world
Since 1973, when Richard Nixon ended the draft, the United States military has been exclusively voluntary. Support for the draft hasn't totally died off, however, and since the US began entangled in foreign conflicts over the past decade, re-instating the draft has be proposed by some politicians and commentators. Notably, Congressman Charles Rangel has advocated a return to the draft, stating that an all-volunteer military encourages US leaders to fight wars without worrying about who does the actual fighting.
The latest research from YouGov shows that most Americans (64%) oppose returning to the draft. 21% support it, with support increasing among older Americans. 39% of over-65s support the draft, compared to 24% over people aged between 45 and 64. Over two-thirds of under-45s oppose the draft, however.
Among people where one family member is either currently serving the nation or is a veteran, 26% support a return to the draft, compared with 16% of people from exclusively civilian families.
Attitudes between civilian and military families also differ, this time significantly, when people are asked their views about military force and the war on terror. 61% of people who have a family member currently in the military think that 'overwhelming force' is the best way to fight terror, while 64% of civilian families worry that excessive use of military force can create hatred and cause more terrorism. Families with veterans are split right down the middle, with 50% supporting the use of overwhelming force and 50% worrying about excessive force.
