[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7690 of July 1, 2003
 
30th Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Throughout our history, members of the United States Armed Forces have
inspired our citizens with their bravery, honor, and dedication. Our
Nation continues to be grateful for the courageous men and women who
have demonstrated extraordinary patriotism in choosing to help defend
America and the cause of freedom.
For the last 30 years, we have been fortunate to have a military
composed entirely of volunteers. When our country's All-Volunteer Force
was born on July 1, 1973, no comparable military in the world operated
on a fully volunteer basis. Throughout most of the 20th century, the
majority of our Armed Forces personnel were drafted, serving our Nation
in both World Wars, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam. In the late 1960s,
the American public's dissatisfaction with the draft prompted President
Richard Nixon to establish The President's Commission on an All-
Volunteer Armed Force. After studying whether to retain the draft or
establish a volunteer military, the Commission concluded that a
volunteer force would be economically viable and potentially more
effective. After much debate, the Nixon Administration and the Congress
allowed the authority for the draft to lapse, and the All-Volunteer
Force was created.
Since that time, our volunteer Armed Forces personnel have upheld the
finest traditions of our military and our country. Today, more than 1.4
million men and women choose to serve on active duty, along with nearly
880,000 members of the National Guard and Reserves. These volunteer
soldiers helped to win the Cold War, turn back aggression during the
Persian Gulf War, keep the peace in the former Yugoslavia, liberate
oppressed people in Afghanistan and Iraq, and defend freedom around the
world.
As we look toward the future of our country and our military, our Nation
gives thanks for the prowess of our military, and we remain committed to
providing our service men and women with the tools and training they
need to continue to be the best in the world. On the celebration of the
30th anniversary of our All-Volunteer Force, I join Americans in
thanking these brave men and women for choosing to serve in defense of
the Nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 1, 2003, as the 30th
Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force. I call upon all Americans to
join me in recognizing this anniversary with heartfelt thanks and
continued support for the men and women who defend our great Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of July,
in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Inde

[[Page 3069]]
117 STAT. 3069

pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH