Students part of draft proposal

Representative Charles B. Rangel's recent proposal to Congress to reinstate the draft has sparked controversy and fear on college campuses nationwide.\nRangel (D-N.Y.), along with Representatives John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Pete Stark (D-Calif.), has proposed to replace the existing Selective Service Law with a system that would subject all U.S. men and women ages 18 to 26 to obligatory military service or alternative civilian service, with the exception of those with disabilities. \nUnlike previous drafts in U.S. history, Rangel's proposed Universal Service Act of 2003 does not include exemptions for college students.\nRangel said a renewed draft will bring to Congress a greater appreciation of the consequences of decisions to go to war. He further points out there is a malproportionate representation of minorities in the U.S. military, and a draft would allow a more accurate representation of the class system in America.\nAccording to an article from the Boston Globe, Department of Defense analysts have found 21 percent of military personnel are black, versus 12 percent of the general population. \n"We need to return to the tradition of the citizen soldier," Rangel wrote. \nThe bill is unlikely to pass, however. The Bush administration and Republicans in Congress both have voiced opposition to it.\nRepublicans in Congress said the Rangel plan is an effort to rouse anti-war sentiment. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said the Pentagon prefers the all-volunteer force. The Department of Defense said in a statement the all-volunteer military is "experienced, smart, disciplined and representative of America." \nCaptain Heath Dunbar, head of recruitment and retention for IU Army ROTC, personally agrees with the Pentagon's position, he said.\n"I think it's absolutely not necessary," Dunbar said. "Right now we have such a technological advantage above any other military in the world that we don't need to increase our numbers."\nDunbar said a draft would place more of a burden on the U.S. military rather than a relief.\n"From a commander's standpoint, it's challenging enough to lead people who want to be there," Dunbar said. "It would be even more of a challenge to rally people who don't want to be there."\nBecause college students and women would not be exempt from a draft, the controversy is more heated among students.\nFreshman Michael Schuler said a draft is unnecessary, but he would be willing to serve.\n"If it came to that, I wouldn't wait for a draft. I would sign up," Schuler said.\nSophomore Heidi Seidel said she would be scared to go to war.\n"I think it's ridiculous," Seidel said. "I would flee the country."\nFreshman Rob Weber said he would also leave the United States to dodge a military draft.\n"I would be freaked out and move to Canada," Weber said, "so I would not be killed in a war"