Military Training in Peacetime?
Clothier, Robert C.
Military Training in Peacetime? Towards Responsible Citizenship By Robert C. Clothier It is of the utmost Importance that a wise decision I he leeched la tat matter of compulsory military J|>...
...Te many thia seem* hardly the proper ass ef words...
...Their reasoning contemplates, th* following factors: First—In spite of our hopes that such conferences as these at Dumbarton Oaks, Yalta and San Francisco will bring about an international organisation to enforce peace, the world has givon tragic evidence in recent rears that mankind has not yet developed beyond the stats at which it is still capable of attempting to fettle iu disputes by force rather than by reason...
...What proposals do not I But it may present, too, opportunity to inculcate In our young people certain of the civic virtue* which our educational system ha* failed to inculcate adequately in the past...
...The members of the third group feel that the program of compulsory military training should be considered sow rather than deferred until after the war...
...Towards Responsible Citizenship By Robert C. Clothier It is of the utmost Importance that a wise decision I he leeched la tat matter of compulsory military J|> traiaing...
...Most of us have every confidence in the good judgment of the American people, but many1 feel the judgment of the American people will be more sound if they make up their minds while they are fully aware of the facts of life in a world which is' still capable of waging war for nationalistic ends...
...Above all, the matter should be ap•iMtaaW "ilh •n 0Den mind witn no preconceived jUjal)— for or against...
...The members of this pttt believe that such a plan would take a year out «f the lives of our young men, would retard them by that much in pursuing their education and getting their iitrt in life, would subject them to unwholesome in-tsences aad would inculcate a spirit of militarism...
...Persons in this group are convinced the matter should be studied now, because it is their belief that the point of view of the nation now is more realistic and more sound than it will be later when, if we do as we did last time, we are again lulled into a sense of false security...
...Granted that such educational value* are secondary in Importance to national safety as factors in this decision, observation of our young men in this present war leads to the belief that under a plan of compulsory militsry training they would gain In discipline, In responsibility, in health and id seriousness of purpose, end many of them would return te complete their college work with a degree of earnestness they would not have otherwise...
...An emotional decision is the last thing desired...
...In view of all these consideration*, there are many who feel that a carefully thought through plan of com-, pulsory military training may have practical advantage* in term* of responsible citizenship which most persons have not yet envisioned...
...There seems to be an excellent opportunity for our military men and our educators, if they are capable of intelligent cooperation, to-work together during this year of training for th* improving of our young men, not only for war, but also for peace...
...Yet whoa we view the cataclysm of death and destruction aad horror which has overwhelmed the huataa race, our own country included, during the past five yeara, it aeems a very insignificant price to pay for security...
...military training...
...i * * * With these various points of view as a background, the following appraisal might be attempted: First—All are agreed that America must never again be found lacking in the military strength required to ensure her security...
...If national safety and world peace were not at stake, most would undoubtedly agree that a young man'* educational experience should not be interrupted...
...This gjtan is convinced that these disadvantages' are not (eatavnstted for by any personal benefits to the indi-rfcjxat ef security advantages for the nation...
...As a matter of fact, there is no reason why the proposal for compulsory military training should be considered entirely from th* point of view ef its military value and not at all from the point of view of its educational significance...
...Third—In view ef the foregoiag, any decision ea cempaieory military training should be taken strictly on the basis ef military requirements after the war...
...Second—We have a far better understanding of the realities in the world situation now than we will have when the war ia over, and our cool judgment is warped by war fatigue and by an emotional urge to leave war and all ita horrors behind us...
...It may present its problems and disadvantage...
...Certainly, any successful plan will require that the moral and spiritual welfare of th* trainees b* given the same careful consideration a* their physical and military prowess...
...urd—America ia recognized as a peace-loving **aatry, and notwithstanding the fears of some that %. adoption of compulsory military training here ¦•aid alarm other'nations, its adoption would, in fact, "•sssure the nations that thia time the United States Bejoses to cooperate with them in outlawing war and *at sot again retreat into isolationism as it did after <**> first World War...
...Be members of the second group believe that con-liasMiiT of the proposal should be postponed until atsr the war, notwithstanding the fact that such polls it lave been taken seem to indicate thst a majority if the people of the nation, and an even greater majority of awn in the service, favor compulsory military tnising.Their arguments might be summarised as follows: First -The adoption of a plan of compulsory military training in peacetime would be a revolutionary change la fundamental American policy and should not be ¦ads under the emotional stress of war...
...th—the experience of our colleges with the He» #1 Officers Training Corps seems to provide ample that military training does not lead to a spirit * "liliUrism...
...the basic issue a not compulsory military training but adequate national defense for the future...
...Seme refer to this a* making up one's mind under emotional stress of a "war hysteria...
...Second—The program of compulsory military train-las...
...No one can now foresee the International situation after the war...
...fit first includes those who are unalterably opposed tsseaspldsory...
...We may have at hand an opportunity more far-reaching than most of ua hare realised...
...A large ¦fending army could easily develop into a mili«*ry caste...
...The President, Secretary of War Stimson, Secretary of th* Navy Forreetal, General Marshall and Admiral King, all of whom speak with authority in the matter of national defense, have given us as their best professional judgment that compulsory military training constitutes the only means through which the nation will have available the number of trained men necessary to defend it in case of emergency...
...The future safety of our country de-•ama upon a wise evaluation of all the factors which 'm hrvelved...
...it is there-tent impossible to determine intelligently the extent of the defense measures which may be needed...
...ekth-.The adoption of a proper plan of compulsory **»*> training now involves no perpetual commit-If out of the coming discussions among thn ••eat an effective international plan to secure peace should emerge, Congress would always have the authority to modify or abrogate the plan...
...Foorth—It is more fitting in our type of demoe*»*r to insure national security through a deme•Tttie system of compulsory military training for i •» rather than through the maintenance of a large ¦feeding army, the only' alternative...
...Yet it is difficult te agree with those educators who believe that the proposed plan of compulsory military training would have no educational Value...
...It' is their feeling that any such delay ia fraught with danger te ear nation...
...is only one element in a well-rounded defense pro-gran under modern military conditions...
...Tosee who have opinions about the proposal seem it fsu into three categories...
...What is important is that we reach a rational decision at the time when we are aware of all the facts...
...Naturally, Blast do set view with enthusiasm the prospect of taking a young ana out of his scaoel or college program for a year...
...It has been emphasised by some that a year in training will subject onr young men, at an impressionable age, to the temptations and evile which all too frequently attend army camps in wartime...
...in fact, the converse seems to be true...
...It is to be assumed that every training camp will have opportunity for physical activity, amusements and sports, and that clergymen, ministers, rabbis and priests will be present to otter religious guidance and to administer to their spiritual needs...
...However we may feel about compulsory military training, we are all agreed upon that...
...All will support it if national safety rssjcdres it, hat the plan offers ao reel solution to aatisnal preblems of education, health and reopenK«iirth—It would be unfortunate if over the yeara th* ^location of our young men should be directly supervlsl|a by the federal government Because of these and other considerations, many persons feel that not plan of compulsory military training should be considered until after the war...
...Until we are sure that such international organisation will work, •sumust remain militarily strong in order to remain •etoml—The consideration and adoption of a sound ¦Jap of compulsory military training now will enable la United States to speak with greater authority at *•peace table in favor of an international organi-"thrn to enforce peace...
...Unquestionably this aspect of the problem should have th* serious consideration of those who are responsible for the development of the plan...
Vol. 28 • April 1945 • No. 14
