volunteer army

An all-volunteer force (AVF) is a military composed entirely of volunteers, without the use of a draft. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia, have abolished conscription and rely on AVFs. The United States adopted an AVF in 1973, partly in response to anti-war protests.1

While volunteer forces are often seen as more efficient and motivated, with members serving longer terms, there are drawbacks. Some argue that an AVF can lead to an "economic draft," where individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds disproportionately serve. This raises concerns about an unequal distribution of the burden of war and the creation of a "warrior class". Advocates of AVFs counter that drafts do not necessarily make the military more representative and that AVFs can have a higher percentage of women and college-educated African Americans compared to draft systems.1