WASHINGTON -- Should the United States resume the military draft?

DRAFT? Reinstitute?

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said it is time to think about compulsory military service again -- with American forces stretched thin by fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq -- but he stopped short of actually calling for resumption of the draft.

Hagel told NBC's "Today" show that a renewed military draft is among the possibilities the United States should consider.

A member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Hagel said the war on terrorism could last 20 years or more. He said some kind of "mandatory service" should be considered for all citizens.

Another member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., told NBC that the nation's standing army isn't large enough.

But a draft isn't necessary now, Biden said.

Both senators say the Bush administration needs to be more up-front about the costs of sustaining military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

About 115,000 Troops In Iraq

The number of troops in Iraq has been a topic of strong debate in the United States.

Many say the troop number should be lowered to keep more Americans out of harm's way. Others say more troops are needed to improve security ahead of the June 30 deadline for the coalition to transfer power to an interim Iraqi government.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced this week that 20,000 soldiers due to come home from Iraq in June will have their tours extended by 90 days in the country and 120 days "in the theater" -- most likely meaning Kuwait or Qatar. Rumsfeld said that a year ago, military leaders could not have estimated the rash of casualties in recent weeks.

In announcing the extended deployment, Rumsfeld said the number of troops in Iraq -- estimated now to be about 115,000 with the extended tours -- depends on the need of commanders there. Bush has supported that statement.

"What General Abizaid needs, General Abizaid will get," Bush said during a recent news conference, in reference to Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command.

Bush says that after the June 30 handover of power, some troops will stay in Iraq to help the new government with security.