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  4. Spring 2001
  5. The Record and Prospects of the All-Volunteer Military in the United States

Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

The Record and Prospects of the All-Volunteer Military in the United States

  • John T. Warner
  • Beth J. Asch
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 15, no. 2, Spring 2001
(pp. 169–192)
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Abstract

From the onset of World War II until July 1973, the draft was a fact of life for male youth in the United States. Since then, America's armed forces have been staffed by volunteers. Recent recruiting difficulties have precipitated calls from some quarters for a return to conscription. This paper reviews the economic issues involved in the choice over conscription versus volunteerism and it reviews the volunteer force record in the U. S. Despite recent recruiting difficulties, the case for the volunteer force is more compelling today than it was in 1973.

Citation

Warner, John, T., and Beth J. Asch. 2001. "The Record and Prospects of the All-Volunteer Military in the United States." Journal of Economic Perspectives 15 (2): 169–192. DOI: 10.1257/jep.15.2.169

JEL Classification

  • J45 Public Sector Labor Markets
  • H56 National Security and War