Should Women Sign Up for the Draft?

2014-11-18T17:23:45-05:00

Simple question: Should women have to sign up for the draft, same as men have to? If you ask me, I say yes. It seems to me if you want equality for all then let it be fair for all. The likelihood that the Selective Services would get called upon again seems unlikely right now but should our nation need to draft citizens it seems only fair that the women of this nation should have to step up same as the men.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Oct 12 at 2015 9:52 PM

2015-10-12T21:52:59-04:00

If women want equality that is part of it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 10:03 PM

2015-10-12T22:03:31-04:00

Honestly, its about time. Why should we males be the only lucky ones to sign up for the selective service?

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Oct 12 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-10-12T22:08:41-04:00

If it's all about equality then yes.
But as we all know our elite politicians will not go for it because they do not want their girls signing up for the draft

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 10:43 PM

2015-10-12T22:43:58-04:00

Excellent. Selective service for all the children.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 12 at 2015 10:59 PM

2015-10-12T22:59:59-04:00

Why not?!?! After all, in Israel, if you are of 18 yrs of age, in shape with no physical ailments and not in college, it is mandatory you sign up and serve for a minimum of two years. Personally, I think everyone here should too.
Yes, FEMALES should sign up for the draft...if you don't have any medical issues then absolutely!

I've read several member write about equality...I do not feel equality should have anything to do with it...It should be mandatory. Period.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-10-12T23:05:34-04:00

If you want to be in combat units this goes with it.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Oct 12 at 2015 11:52 PM

2015-10-12T23:52:11-04:00

Fair and equal under the law. It's under their own terms; welcome to the club.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 12 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-10-12T23:53:04-04:00

With the advent of the All Volunteer Force, the Draft has been unnecessary for 40 years and how many conflicts?

The need for a draft relies on the need to increase (ground) troop size exponentially. That said, any conflict that would require it is just not foreseeable. In other words, the Draft itself is an outdated concept. It takes just as much legislative effort to modify it as to get rid of it. Why keep it at all?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 13 at 2015 12:45 AM

2015-10-13T00:45:21-04:00

Bad idea. Women should be free to join but not be drafted.

(The view of an old timer)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 2:12 AM

2015-10-13T02:12:28-04:00

I think it is a good idea.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 5:39 AM

2015-10-13T05:39:46-04:00

If true equality is to be had, then yes anyone of age should have to register for the draft. Equality shouldn't be a pick and choose of what you want and don't want to do.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 13 at 2015 6:45 AM

2015-10-13T06:45:29-04:00

Good idea. Equal means just that... You can't have equality with caveats...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 7:53 AM

2015-10-13T07:53:31-04:00

Sad to think of a draft again, in any context..., but, if the goal is equality (such as combat arms), then so be it.

We wouldn't even have any reason to have a discussion about a draft if we weren't at such a low strength in such a volatile time...

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-10-13T08:16:35-04:00

We are equal ... right?? or not ...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-10-13T08:44:35-04:00

Although I don't like the idea of a draft, it's only fair for women to have to be drafted as well. Equal is equal and you have to take the suck along with the good stuff.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:45 AM

2015-10-13T08:45:35-04:00

Long overdue.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Oct 13 at 2015 8:50 AM

2015-10-13T08:50:37-04:00

Equality is equality.................

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Oct 13 at 2015 9:15 AM

2015-10-13T09:15:17-04:00

Why not if everything is going to be fair between the sex's.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 13 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-10-13T09:27:18-04:00

Sure, if you think that equality overrides difference. The reason women weren't drafted is because they weren't allowed in combat and the reason they weren't allowed in combat is that they couldn't hack it physically and allowing millions of child-bearing age women to get killed is highly destructive to society. But what the hell do we care; we'll just continue to destroy ourselves.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 13 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-10-13T09:56:57-04:00

Why shouldn't they have to register? Not that it really means something since if we have to go back to the draft, something went very wrong. But equality means everyone should do their part to defend the nation if needed.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:33 AM

2015-10-14T00:33:36-04:00

Sir, I think this will be like the Y2K problem. Basically, it will be a non-issue if it is enacted.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 14 at 2015 12:44 AM

2015-10-14T00:44:10-04:00

No brainer. Behind it 100%. Equality.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 14 at 2015 12:45 AM

2015-10-14T00:45:44-04:00

COL Charles Williams Seems like a no-brainer to me. The minute some feminist cries 'foul' over Selective Service requirements, is the moment she loses all credibility. Most people who support women in the military in any capacity are not idiots. This is probably the easiest issue to deal with, when considering integrating women.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 1:19 AM

2015-10-14T01:19:16-04:00

COL Charles Williams It seems like I remember that recently a young lady sued for the right to sign up for the draft. Awe yes, I found the court response. Here you go.

http://cmrlink.org/content/article/34472/COURT%20DISMISSES%20LAWSUIT%20TO%20INCLUDE%20WOMEN%20IN%20DRAFT%20REGISTRATION

COURT DISMISSES LAWSUIT TO INCLUDE WOMEN IN DRAFT REGISTRATION

Read it here

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 14 at 2015 2:11 AM

2015-10-14T02:11:22-04:00

I feel that any able bodied American citizen who fits the billet should be required to, regardless of gender, creed, national origin, etc. The likelihood of them enacting the draft is very low, we would have to be facing an incredible threat for it to come back and given the circumstances I think we'd need for it to be re-instated I see no reason that they shouldn't have to take up arms like everyone else.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 14 at 2015 11:19 PM

2015-10-14T23:19:42-04:00

I am actually surprised this hasn't been a topic yet... especially for the Joint Chiefs. Seems reasonable that my 17-yr old daughter should be filling out a Selective Service Card next week when she registers to vote and gets her driver's license.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-10-15T08:41:23-04:00

A draft is a messy proposition for any gender...Take away the "volunteer" aspect, and you accept a host of issues (our Vietnam Vets likely have strong opinions on this we should listen to).

That said, I think this will serve as the litmus test for whether or not this is an issue of true "equality" or political maneuvering. No one's raised much hell about the fact that all males have to register in a long, long time. Equality isn't about being given recognition...it's about being required to accept responsibility. This is the weakest link in the progressive chain of reasoning, because they've not considered what it means to remove social barriers as much as they claim to.