Presidential candidate John Kerry used the term "backdoor draft" in a 2004 speech to bring attention to the issues regarding stop-loss policy. San Francisco attorney Joshua Sondheimer, while representing two California National Guardsmen that same year, stated, "Ultimately, this is about fairness."

Backdoor Draft

"Backdoor draft" alludes to the U.S. military policy known as "stop-loss," developed after the Vietnam War to involuntarily extend contracts of service members.

Stop-Loss Policy

The stop-loss policy has been in use extensively since the 1970s, especially during the second Gulf War, when there was concern about potential personnel shortages.

The Draft

The term "backdoor draft" refers to the fact that, while there is no official draft, the U.S. military can draft personnel after their active service contracts end.

Service Contracts

Enlisting in the military means signing an eight-year contract that includes two to four years of active duty and four to six years as a reservist. When service members reach the end-of-service date on this contract, they may reenlist or leave the military. If on active duty at that time, however, the military may extend active duty and force completion of deployment upon the soldier.

Troop Shortages

The military justifies stop-loss policy by extreme troop shortages, which can be deadly to other deployed troops. Employing this policy ensures that there are enough fully trained, qualified troops on active duty at any given time.

Source:

NPR: The Impact of the War

CNN: American Morning

U.S. Army: Stop-Loss