Actually, the no-balls proportion was pretty prevalent...
About 3 percent of the population is actually willing to stand up and don a uniform either for freedom or to protect the Constitution. About the same percentage across all wars... Geprge Washington, in fact, made reference to the "Three Percent" who were kind of America's early "So much being owed by so many to so few" patriots.
Since I'm fond of numbers...
Revolutionary War... was about 3 percent of Americans who fought. Almost 50 percent were still Crown supporters (loyalists) especially in the South. And everywhere, people hedged their bets. Most sat on their asses and waited to see which way the wind was blowing. About 3 percent of the population took any kind of active role.
The Civil War had massive draft dodging in the North... and plenty of people managed to avoid it in the South. The origin of the saying "Rich man's war, poor man's fight" came when the CSA government exempted any person who owned 20 slaves from the fighting... Again, on the population base, the South had a huge percentage of its military age males involved. The North fought with one hand behind its back. 3 percent... may be generous in the North. The urban areas were appalling in their lack of sending 'sons' to the fight. And remember, you could buy a 'substitute' for a few hundred dollars. And send some immigrant SOB to their death... in your place.
WW1 had massive draft dodging, especially in Northern cities where the economy was booming and there were good jobs and lots of money to be made. We hear about legitimate CO's like Alvin York. But he was a rarity. A man with a real stance. Most were simply not interested in shipping out. So dodged the draft because there were high-paying jobs to be had. Far fewer than 3 percent answered the call. Then again, the war ended before things could really ramp up.
WW2... significantly higher percentage of mobilization... But our population was 135 million, roughly. and 16 million served for about 12 percent. And that was during what we think of as the biggest 'total war' in our history. There were also about 100,000 legitimate CO's... but more than 50,000 true draft dodgers... who were pardoned by Truman after the war.
Korea and Vietnam... far fewer than 3 percent.... And resisters to serving skyrocketed... and it is not unfair to say that this was in part because these conflicts were not based on 'existential' threats. And that is a fair argument... as fighting someone else's war is not fighting for your home and hearth.
And in post-Vietnam America, about 0.5 percent do any military service, supplemented by 0.25 percent who serve in L.E., Fire, rescue or similar 'uniformed services' which swear an oath to the Constitution. Far more show up at protests, Lolapalooza and Burning Man than serve.
Though based on membership in gun rights groups, pro-Constitution organizations, Surveys, etc., it is believed that the number of 'Three Percent' -- George Washington's estimate from 200 plus years ago -- is still about right when it comes to estimating how many people would put their skin in the game to protect the Constitution if SHTF. The rest would Concede, Collude, Collaborate or sit around to see how things shake out... To use a Russian word "The Narod." As always, the future of our Constitutional Republic will probably be in the hands of about 3 percent of the population...
Hell, not even half the population votes... And we wonder why we have a swamp...
Oh and... are you part of the three percent? Because everyone on this site should be!
Cheers,
Sirhr
