Description
Book SynopsisEight American military veterans of the Vietnam/Cold War era describe their service and its influence on their lives. Their service is shaped by the history of America’s raising of its military forces with particular emphasis on the use of mandatory military service (the draft, Selective Service) in 1917–18 and 1940–73. The final chapter provides the authors’ reflections on the challenges facing the American military in the third decade of the twenty-first century and the possibility of a return to drafted military service after a half century of an All-Volunteer Force.
Trade Review"Military Memories is an excellent overview of the history and future of America’s military actions in raising force structure with a focus on mandatory military service (the Draft). The eight contributing military veterans' descriptions of the influences of military service on their subsequent lives highlights the book".— Major General John Libby, retired as the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard in 2014.
“In Military Memories, Donald Zillman has assembled a group of eight highly skilled veterans who provide great insight not only on the times and circumstances of their military service, but offer their personal perspectives on why military service or some form of national public service is in the nation’s best interests. Extremely well written, comprehensive without academic density, this is a must-read for all Americans, but especially for our elected leaders who have the Constitutional duty to raise and support an army to protect our nation’s security”— William S. Cohen, Former Secretary of Defense.
Table of ContentsBios of Contributors; Section I Introduction; Section II America Raises Its Military Forces, Bibliography; Section III Personal Recollections, Eugene R. Fidell, Tom Mackie, Mick McBee, Arne Salvesen, Leif Salvesen, Paul Strieby, John Tewhey, Donald Zillman; Section IV Perspectives on Today’s Military, The Draft and the All-Volunteer Force, Our Shared Experiences, The Contemporary American Military, Decisions for the Government about a Renewed Draft, The Extraordinary Events of 2020–22; Index
