Should young women be required to register for the draft?

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:16:59 -0400

"Elizabeth Kyle doesn't consider herself an activist, but she has something she wants to tell the federal government: It's not fair that young men are required to register for the draft, but women are not.

To that end, Kyle and her mother, Allison, of Parsippany, filed a federal lawsuit this month demanding equality. Either have the U.S. Selective Service System require young women to register, or make it voluntary for both sexes, the lawsuit demands.

Elizabeth Kyle, who graduated from high school last month, learned of this disparate treatment when she saw friends who turned 18 were not allowed to proceed on the online registration form when they clicked "female" on the gender identification question.

Under current law, virtually all males 18-25 in the United States must register for the draft, although the draft itself has been mothballed since 1973. Women can enlist, but they cannot register for the draft.

Now that the Pentagon has rolled back most rules excluding women from combat roles, there's no reason young women 18-25 should not be required to register, the Kyles' lawsuit says.

Congress would have to rewrite the law to require women to register for the draft. U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, (D-N.Y.) filed just such a measure in March. The bill was referred to the House Armed Services Committee.

What do you think?

Should women be required to register for the draft?"

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 15 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:24:23 -0400

I think all should have to register and I'll go one step further. All Americans should have to do National Service, whether that is the military, national parks, teaching English in Alabama or working in a nursing home for 18-24 months.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:24:33 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:24 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:24:34 -0400

ABSOLUTELY!

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 15 at 2015 2:25 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:25:05 -0400

Maybe I'm "old skool" - and chivalrous - but I definitely don't think women should have to register for the draft.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 15 at 2015 2:25 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:25:39 -0400

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member I have three (3) daughters just in case anybody didn't like my answer and I think when they turned (18) two already and one is at (17) they should and would have to register for the draft. Women play a very important role in almost all of our services and most of the specialties; and soon they will be getting more involved in the combat arms throughout the military. Absolutely yes. This ensures that we can flex up to large numbers if "God forbid" we every needed to. I think women in most cases would welcome that change. TSgt Hunter Logan what are your thoughts? Am I on of off? Please answer that in the context that I provided also LOL!

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 15 at 2015 2:30 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:30:08 -0400

The times have changed, yes women should have to register now

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 15 at 2015 2:30 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:30:23 -0400

Fair is fair.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 15 at 2015 2:31 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:31:33 -0400

The purpose of the draft is to expand the military roster rapidly, beyond that of the current recruitment efforts. As such, it is just not needed. The Selective Service requirement supports that need. As such, the Draft, and the Selective Service requirement is essentially obsolete with the All Volunteer Force.

As we do not generally use "open contract" personnel in Combat Arms (at least in the USMC), which is where the vast majority of Drafted personnel would go, there is little point in having it all.

In other words, it is far better to just get rid of it, than to try to make it gender-neutral. Honestly however, were it up to me, if we were going to expand the draft to women as well, we should expand it to not only women but all persons age 18 to 70 (those eligible to serve in any capacity).

My belief is that those who can be conscripted to serve will have a different philosophical outlook than those who cannot (Chickenhawk mentality).

R.A. Heinlein made a great suggestion regarding the Draft and War Powers which I think would solve the issues however.

Congress could put War on the table, but only the People could actually Declare it (via direct Popular vote).

1) Those who vote Yea, are immediately Drafted and report to serve the following day
2) Those who abstain become "Reservists" and are the first to be called "as needed"
3) Those who vote No, go about their lives, but may join as any Citizen chooses.

This promotes a "Stay out of other countries' affairs philosophy" as well as "You want a voice, you must vote" philosophy. It also prevents old men in DC from sending our folks to War over issues We the People don't want to be involved in.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 15 at 2015 2:33 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:33:58 -0400

I think requiring males to do it and not females is discrimination. We live in a country that is supposed to be about equality. If we require our male population to register then it stands to reason that the female population should be required as well.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 15 at 2015 2:40 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:40:03 -0400

I believe everyone should have to sign up for the draft onee they turn 18.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 15 at 2015 2:41 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:41:22 -0400

Neither men, nor women should be required to register for the draft. I think we have enough interested parties that wish to serve under their own free will.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:46 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:46:52 -0400

All those reaching voting age should.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 15 at 2015 2:48 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:48:21 -0400

Absolutely! This will be a huge milestone for "equality!"

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 2:51 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 14:51:22 -0400

If there is a nationwide draft again, women either are required by law to register or they are NOT allowed to join voluntarily. Equality MEANS equality. Women are playing both crucial and mundane roles in today's All Volunteer Military, as are the men who work alongside them. Saying that one doesn't have to register because of gender, yet another does because of a different gender, is not congruent with today's social norms. That said, I am very appreciative that I served in a much earlier version of our armed forces.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 15 at 2015 4:30 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:30:42 -0400

If women want to be "equal" in all things in the military (i.e., combat arms inclusion, Ranger School, etc.), then, yes, they should be required to register for the draft. If they are excluded from the requirement to register for the draft or anything else men are not excluded from, then it should be OK to exclude women from such things as the combat arms and Ranger School. All or none...

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 4:38 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:38:57 -0400

Yes. Yes. A million times yes.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 15 at 2015 5:11 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:11:58 -0400

Yes, things are equalizing on every front. The less pleasant fronts should equalize too.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 5:47 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:47:46 -0400

Several others have touched on it, but at the current moment in time, females cannot fill all combat roles which are principally what the draft would fill if enacted. My thoughts on this are complicated but I will try to not be vague:

1) Women should be ALLOWED to register if they want to. Not even allowing them to register is an odd restriction separate from that of requiring them to do so. I understand that the "lottery" if enacted would then have to differentiate between females and males, but let's be honest this is not a difficulty of any real merit.

2) Females should be required to register IF males are required to register. I intentionally separate this because the need for selective service is a different topic entirely, but also a relevant one for addressing. I believe that females should be required if males are required to register for selective service, in the name of equality, etc. Their skills and talents are just as useful as mine.

3) Selective service should change. Someone else already mentioned it, but I believe EVERYONE should serve in public service (not necessarily military) for some period of time. Call it 2 years, 3 years, 1 year, or 5. The time length doesn't particularly matter. This will lower the number of unemployed high school and college graduates, increase skills among our potential workforce, give a better appreciation for civil service and military jobs to the country as a whole, and open the possibility of staying in those jobs for those who fit and enjoy it. I see very few negatives to this, but I am open to what they might be. The one I do see is that by requiring everyone to serve we will end up with some who really shouldn't be in any position of responsibility. Before you jump on me for that one, be honest with yourself, these people do exist.

4) Selective service should exist. Yes we have not had a reason for it recently, but being prepared for the eventuality of a major war helps to mitigate the chances of one.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 7:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 19:04:03 -0400

Mandatory Service for all

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 15 at 2015 10:01 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:01:40 -0400

Yes, WO1 Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jul 15 at 2015 10:08 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:08:01 -0400

I understand where they're coming from, but the fact is if we ever needed con scription we would really only need the male component. That would not preclude females from volunteering. WWII showed how important females in the continental US were for war effort. That said, a 'registration' may not be an enforcable equality argument as there is no loss or gain of property, money, or tangible harm.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 16 at 2015 5:17 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 05:17:35 -0400

What draft is this that you speak of? However, they should have to register with Selective Service.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 8:53 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 08:53:09 -0400

I have daughters that would have to register....and I can honestly say that in today's world of gender equality the time has come.

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 16 at 2015 11:05 AM

MSgt David Haupt — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:05:49 -0400

Yes they should. My daughter is all ready thinking about going after she grads from WVU. So yes!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 8:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:57:22 -0400

The article below and the CSM of the Marines says it better
But my feeling is the following

Equality under the law does not just convey privileges and rights but also the corresponding responsibilities. If everyone is equal than anyone can be drafted.

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Army Sec: American Women Could Be Required to Register for Draft if Combat Jobs Integrated
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BY: Morgan Chalfant
October 12, 2015 4:53 pm

Army Secretary John McHugh said Monday that opening up all combat roles to women would push lawmakers to engage in an “emotional discussion and debate” about whether or not women should also be required to enter the draft.

“If your objective is true and pure equality, then you have to look at all aspects and at some point Selective Service will have to be one of those things considered very carefully,” McHugh said at the U.S. Army’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., according to the Washington Examiner.

McHugh said that Congress would have to decide to require women to sign up for the draft.

His remarks come just weeks after the service secretaries were required to submit recommendations to Defense Secretary Ash Carter as to whether certain combat positions should remain shuttered to women. It is widely believed that the Marine Corps requested an exception for some infantry and reconnaissance units, while the other services requested no exceptions.

Carter is due to make a decision on women in combat roles by January 1 after hearing arguments from service leaders.

The role of female service members in combat has become a contentious topic, especially since a study conducted by the Marine Corps found that mixed-gender units were significantly outperformed by all-male units in simulated combat operations.

Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, received criticism from military leaders and lawmakers for dismissing the study’s findings and suggesting that its organizers were biased against women.

Sgt. Maj. Justin LeHew, a Marine war hero who helped conduct the nine-month study, called Mabus’ comments “way off base” in a Facebook post and argued that all combat roles should not be opened up to women until the country requires women to sign up for the draft.

“In this country we preach equality. But to place these mandates on the military before this country has even considered making females register, just like males, for the selective service is in all aspects out of touch with reality,” LeHew wrote.

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Morgan Chalfant Email Morgan | Full Bio | RSS
Morgan Chalfant is a reporter at the Washington Free Beacon. Prior to joining the Free Beacon, Morgan worked as a staff writer at Red Alert Politics. She also served as the year-long Collegiate Network fellow on the editorial page at USA TODAY from 2013-14. Morgan graduated from Boston College in 2013 with a B.A. in English and Mathematics. Her Twitter handle is @mchalfant16.

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Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 14 at 2015 5:06 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:06:08 -0400

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/10/12/women-likely-have-register-draft-army-secretary-says.html?ESRC=navy-a_151014.nl

It can't happen soon enough, imho. With equal opportunity MUST come equal obligation and responsibility...

Women Will Likely Have to Register for the Draft, Army Secretary Says

Women will probably have to register for the draft as the military becomes more gender-neutral, Army Secretary John McHugh said.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 5:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 05:30:10 -0400

I don't really understand why they are eager to register for selective service. If you so badly want it go to your local recruiter and join the army. Selective service isn't going to stop you from joining the military when shit hits the fan. I wouldn't want the women in my life to be forced to go fight if we ever do enact the draft again. There are women out there that do have what it takes and many who are more bad ass than I. I feel as though women shouldn't be forced to fight our wars, maybe I just have an old school perspective.