[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 27 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Pages 859-860]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7690--30th Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force

 July 1, 2003

 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

[[Page 860]]

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 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., July 3, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 7.