Using volunteer forces, rather than conscripts or private contractors, is the most legitimate method for organising a military.

There are generally three different methods for providing a military force in a war situation: using volunteers, private contractors, or conscripts. James Pattison assesses each of these options in terms of their moral legitimacy. Using a ‘moderate instrumentalist approach’ he argues that both private contractors and conscription raise moral issues which could undermine the legitimacy of a military operation. Although volunteer forces are not without their own problems, they generally offer the most legitimate way of organising a military.