Due to the overstretched committments by the U.S. in different conflict areas at the moment , if Israel asked the U.S. to send troops into Israel would this mean that the U.S. would have to bring in a Draft as the military is already at full stretch with their committments? and if so would the American public support U.S. "drafted" troops being used in this way in such a conflict?

That, my friend, is a *very* good question.

As I know it (and I'm active duty us navy) the military isn't quite using full strength. I know of some Navy reservists that haven't been called in. Also, none of the Inactive Reserve have been recalled. Only active reservists. I think that would be the next logical step if we took on more military commitments.

After the inactive reserve call, I would then yes assume a draft could be implemented.

As for support of such a draft? Not likely imho - especially in leu of Iraq and the public out cry for pulling troops out.

just my .02

TextTextText Blue

Very good question, how would the United States respond, and how exactly would our public react? The truth is, if Isreal requested our presence in this upcomming scuffle I feel that we should give serious consideration to sending troops, however...we have very few to send. I've said many times before that with our troop levels being what they are currently we well be forced to sacrifice on some level. This leaves us to the matter of exactly WHERE are we willing to sacrifice? Pride has us spending far too much time abroad than is really needed, and we are neglecting the important safety of the HOMELAND.
With statements that i've heard comming from moderate and extremist Islamic factions in the past several months I feel that Isreal would be a valued companion in the long hard days that appear to be on our horizans.
Unfortunately, i don't think the average U.S. citizen is truly informed enough to realize just how bad things could get in the next decade. We are a sensitive and caring, although selfish nation. After September 11th there was a broad outcry to find those responsible and seek retribution for their acts. How dare they have the nuts and bolts to attack us on our own soil. And i can't say I blame them, but...after the anger subsides and oil prices rise and we start to miss our children and spouses who are away fighting this war...we begin to waiver. I'm not a fan of cut and run warfare but i'm also not fond of leaping before we look either. This being the case It seems that the American public will have the bad taste of Iraq and Afghanistan in their mouths for decades to come. This reason alone will lead them to bitter senitments about sending troops to aid Isreal even though it may actually be a good idea.
Now as for a draft, that very well may be an option the government will begin looking into with more interest. There is the backlash of public disdain that will be heard across the lands, but there is the more important fact that all the freedoms we enjoy soo wholey and fully mean very little if there is no one around to defend them. At home and abroad. I am a member of the inactive Naval reserves and I was activated and served a tour of duty in Fallujah Iraq back in 2004. I would gladly return to duty if I am called, but I wonder how many others share my sentiments?

So would that mean that the U.S. would probably have to pull troops out of Iraq/Afghanistan and would ask the other Coalition of the Willing (Australia etc) to send in more troops to cover the troop loss.
This wouldn't play well politically here in Australia and so I could see this becoming an issue.
The other issue is that this would probably bring the other Arab nations into the conflict as this would be seen as an escalation.
Where would it end if the 6th Fleet was attacked in the Gulf or the supposed WOMD were actually in Arab hands at the moment and just waiting for the "right time" to be used against the Israeli's.

It's hard to imagine things getting so bad that Israel would request troops from anyone. They are more than capable of handling any of their neighbours.

Originally posted by zeeon
I know of some Navy reservists that haven't been called in. Also, none of the Inactive Reserve have been recalled. Only active reservists. I think that would be the next logical step if we took on more military commitments.

I agree with the above, the US military is not at full compliment, also the rotation schedules force the appearance of fewer available troops than what actually exist. If the US went in the direction of a ‘wartime footing’, there would be no rotation such as in wwii…one goes home when it is over.

However, the USAF and USN are both training/retraining forces for the first time in several decades to do ground combat duty, mostly escort duty, to free combat troops as elements of both mentioned branches are currently under utilized.

If Israel completely called-up her reserves the IDF numbers would reach over 700k (130+k career/active according to Jane’s estimate, the IDF publishes no numbers).

Imo…Boots on the ground will not be what the US would primarily provide nor what Israel would need in the given scenario. The USAF, USN and US taxpayers would take the largest role.


mg

Maybe one or two of their neigbours BUT all the Arab nations?

The reply to the person asking if the American public will support the draft, ABSOLUTELY NOT. And nor would Congress or any branch of government approve of it. There will be riots, and violence. I wouldn't even be surprised if members of the government were assassinated. Americans will support other countries, but they will not sacrifice dear things for them. We don't care THAT much for them.

Not to mention most will refuse to go. There has to be a very very very good reason to bring the draft back. And the reason for bringing it back cannot be "because we have troops in Iraq and Israel needs us". hahaha

Like I said, it will not happen. And if it does it will be the government's worst nightmare.

It's hard to imagine things getting so bad that Israel would request troops from anyone. They are more than capable of handling any of their neighbours.

fair point, Israel is well 'tooled' up to deal with its predominatley 'stone throwing' neighbour.

If they wanted they could move in and descimate all the key military/militia areas of palestine from the air at a seconds notice.

Israel has handled several countries at once many times since she was formed. The ONLY assistance that she has ever required were replacement planes from the US. It will be a VERY desperate day when they request assistance beyond resupply.

To the person asking about them fighting ALL Arab nations, you're assuming that other Arab nations have the military capability to get into this fight. Having troops doesn't mean they can get there. You have to have the long range transport and logistical ability to get into the fight. Iran has a mutual defense treaty with Syria, but has very little long range transportation to get there, except by truck, which will take a long time. For a good example look at Desert Shield. The USAF was in Saudi Arabia in days, but the US Army took 3-4 months to be completely in place and ready to attack into Kuwait. That's why Iraq went in in August, but we didn't start the fight until mid-January. We simply COULDN'T until then. It's all about the logistical tail. The longer that tail, the longer it takes to build up, resupply, replace. Israel will have a very short tail because they're fighting at "home", whereas Iran will have a very long tail because they will have to move so far out of the country. Other nations like Qatar, Bahrain, etc don't even have the military capability to send anything to fight.

The US military is set up to fight two wars at once and still have forces available to defend the homeland.

If the US ended up in another full scale war the only difference would be that the troops would not rotate from the war to home as often if at all.
The only reason they would ever need a draft is to replace dead troops if we are losing and/or to boost up numbers to allow more rotations from the front lines for R&R. A third war would also cause a draft.

The US could also choose to only fight and destroy the infrastructure and military of othe r nations such as North Korea and Iran. In a month or less the US Air Force could reduce both contries military to a ruble pile without needing one ground troop. The North Korean and Iran governements would be reduced to just a bunch of loud mouths with no teeth.

Sadly Kim is ILL would likely kill 2.5 million people in Soul even though south Korea would probably not even be a part of a War between US and N Korea. He could do this with chemical weapons he has loaded on artillary and rockets currently aimed at Soul and other locations.

This would be a situation where the US could not destroy the launchers and artilliary in time unless we used Nuclear weapons in a pre-emptive strike which is highly doubt full. Soul is a dead City if war erupts over there.

[edit on 14-7-2006 by Xeven]

Israel will not request help from American, or any troops for that matter. Given the opportunity they would be capable of eliminating most of Hezbolah and Hamas. What is holding them back is not the amount of troops or military equipments, but protests from UN and Arab nations. Israel has never requested American help beyond supplying equipment.

On the side note, if anyone heard what the Israeli Ambassador to UN (Gillerman I believe) said today, actually made sense. Most of Lebanese people, and its government do not want anything to do with Hezbolah. Because Hezbolah is getting support from Iran and Syria however, the Lebanese are helpless against Hezbolah- which is provoking Israeli attacks.

Basically my friend.

Due to the heroic iraqi resistance keeping the ameroisraelies at bay, Israel is screwed !

Everyone knows it's too pathetic to win any war on it's own.

Excellent Excellent timing.

----------------

If american soldiers ever stepped 1 foot directly onto israeli soil and fought against another Arab country you can guarentee the Arabs will cut of the oil supply just like they did in 1973

Your giving to much credit to pro-US arab regimes.

[edit on 14-7-2006 by Syrian Sister]

Originally posted by elevatedone
I personally don't thin we'll see U.S. Troops on the ground over there....

American troops are going into Lebanon even as you read these words. They are going in to evacuate American citizens and others who need help getting out, but it will still be boots on the ground.

There is allot more going here than what is being shown to the person on the street.

As for a draft, I expect another false flag attack against Americans at any time now. All it will take is a large body count and a finger pointed at Iran or Syria and the American people will once again give George Bush whatever he asks for.

This is just my opinion though,

wupy

Originally posted by Syrian Sister
Basically my friend.

Due to the heroic iraqi resistance keeping the ameroisraelies at bay, Israel is screwed !

Everyone knows it's too pathetic to win any war on it's own.

Excellent Excellent timing.

Wow you're still around?

Man I can't wait until you grow up. That sounds....harsh I know. But I'm serious. You're like 13 or 14 right? I can't wait until you get more educated and become more knowledgable about how the world works. Wisdom comes with age....supposedly.


As far as the orginial question(s):

Due to the overstretched committments by the U.S. in different conflict areas at the moment , if Israel asked the U.S. to send troops into Israel would this mean that the U.S. would have to bring in a Draft as the military is already at full stretch with their committments? and if so would the American public support U.S. "drafted" troops being used in this way in such a conflict?

lol
1) When has Israel ever needed our help? They are MORE than capable of handling that whole area (as they have shown before in the past) if we let them.
2) Overstretched? "Full stretch"? Were you joking? We have aprox. 150,000 troops in Afghan and Iraq. Out of 1.5 million (not including reserves). The US wouldn't need a draft to fight another war in the middle east or period.

Although I support a draft against Hezbullah atm I don't think most of the U.S. would. I do think though that if we had to go with Syria and Iran the majority of the U.S. would support a draft. We have to consider that Israel in reality is basically a U.S. state althought a lot of the U.S. doesn't realise that I think many more do.

The only way American troops will be involved is if Iran and Syria mix it up with Israel.