The U.S. military draft is far more interesting than you'd think. The process of conscription can get quite complicated, but we're here to clear it up for you. We'll also talk a bit about whether or not this could ever happen again.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know - The Draft
Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating bureaucracy behind America's Selective Service System, exploring how the draft works, who has to register, and what would actually happen if the government needed to activate it again. They cover everything from the lottery system that would determine who gets called up first to the various exemptions and deferments available, including the complex process for conscientious objectors. It's a surprisingly deep look at a system most people think about just once when they turn 18, complete with tangents about beloved TV shows and the author's interesting family history with military service.
"I watched Barney Miller last night for the first time in forever. If you want to see a TV show, like a Bonafide TV show where there's a script and actors and they've all rehearsed, and there's a plot and there's jokes and all that stuff, and a laugh track. — Josh recommends watching Barney Miller as an example of quality scripted television with jokes and a laugh track, praising how well it holds up."
— Josh
Full Metal Jacket
1987
1h 57m
★ 8.1
"Matthew Maudine was a writer for and a mail jacket. Full metal jacket. That was great. — Chuck corrects Josh about Matthew Modine's role in Full Metal Jacket, noting he was a photographer/reporter rather than just a mail carrier."
— Chuck
M*A*S*H
1970
1h 56m
★ 7.0
"Father Mulcahy, he was a good character, wasn't he? He's a good dude. One of my favorites on Mash, actually, weirdly. — Chuck mentions Father Mulcahy as a side character he enjoyed on the TV show M*A*S*H while discussing religious ministers and deferments."
— Chuck
The Fog of War
2003
1h 47m
★ 7.7
"Did you ever see Fog of War? Oh yeah. Like, did you buy the, it dawned on him what he had done or what he was really responsible for like there on camera or was he just putting on a show? — Chuck references the Errol Morris documentary about Robert McNamara and questions whether McNamara genuinely realized his responsibility for deaths in Vietnam."
— Chuck
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