1this paper benefited from comments at a seminar held in beverley october 2000 1 the all volunteer force an economics perspective professor keith hartley director centre for defence university of york introduction issues1 debates about avf often focus on its limitations reflected problems recruitment retention and personnel costs some critics advocate return to conscription which they claim will solve these by providing adequate quantity recruits would be cheaper than voluntary system compared with regular make point that conscripts are relatively cheap need little support since not accompanied families have leave so always available service bandow 1999 donnelly also sustainability requirements modern armies operations eg peace keeping army requires five or six people every one soldier field p30 military major resource budgetary cost armed forces training efficient utilisation raises set human resources issues where economists especially can apply their theories empirical
