This website uses cookies.

By clicking the "Accept" button or continuing to browse our site, you agree to first-party and session-only cookies being stored on your device to enhance site navigation and analyze site performance and traffic. For more information on our use of cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

  1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. Journal of Economic Perspectives
  4. Spring 2001
  5. The Record and Prospects of the All-Volunteer Military in the United States

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

Download Full Text PDF
(Complimentary)

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
There are no comments for this article.
Login to Comment