Women and the Draft in the United States?

Question

While women officers and enlisted personnel serve with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces, women have never been subject to Selective Service registration or a military draft in America.

There have been three times in history that our government took it into consideration the possibility of requiring women to take part in a draft. During World War II, during the Carter Administration and again during the Clinton Administration when President Clinton asked the Secretary of Defense to update its mobilization requirements for the Selective Service System and, as a part of the effort, "continue to review the arguments for and against continuing to exclude women from registration now that they can be assigned to combat roles other than ground combat."

For all you young men out there...

Should females be required to register (and possibly serve in the military) the same as you for the draft?

Answer 1

Israel requires women to serve in the military and we should too. I am not advocating putting women in combat roles since I have seen first hand how terrible that decision would be. I didn't know one girl in the Army who actually wanted to go into a combat arms MOS or one who thought girls should be allowed in combat arms jobs. The people who want women on the front lines are normally people who have never been anywhere near the front lines.

The rules regarding the draft have changed since Vietnam because college is so big these days. College will no longer exempt you from the draft and even girls can be drafted!! The rules have already changed.

I believe women should be drafted either into the military for support jobs or they should be placed in civil service jobs directly supporting the war effort. Women have asked for equal rights and I believe now is the time to act equally. Of course if they want to drop the case for equal rights we should go back to the Womens Army Corps.

Right to Privacy can always be overlooked and is rarely if ever instituted when dealing with the military. Every time a girl wanted a discharge for a pregnancy she had to submit to a pregnancy test. You have no privacy when dealing with the military!!!

Answer 2

Talk about breaking traditional paradigms....

I think there (still) is reluctance on the part of many in Congress (and throughout the states) to force women into a draft, where they could be forced into combat and possibly killed - unless dire circumstances exist - similar in magnitude to WWII.

NOT the same thing as volunteering and going to combat and getting killed. Life is no less precious, however, the government has always had to have a strong compelling need before taking away rights (in this case for women to be free from selective service requirements).

Great Question - you're making us think! But no, they shouldn't.

Answer 3

The latest House bill being debated to re-instate the draft most definitely includes women. In fact, it includes everyone at all ages 18-39. Technically, it wouldn't be a draft, it would be a mandatory "period of national service" lasting 2 years which may or may not be military service specifically. This is known as "conscription" and not technically a "draft". With a draft, people are brought into military service in times of need on an "as-needed" basis. With this new system, everyone automatically does their 2 years minimum time whether needed or not.

Answer 4

Even though I'm a girl I'm an American citizen. I should take part in everything that they require the other citizens to do. So if there is a draft women should have to participate too because they have all the rites men do so they should have to participate in things like the men do. Women may lack some physicall strength, but is'nt it said that women can endure more pain due to the pain of childbirth?

Answer 5

Y E S, There are some countries that require women to
be conscripted the same as men are. I see nothing wrong
in this. If women want equal rights, then they should be
required to register for the draft.

Answer 6

Suppose a woman is drafted. If she does not want to serve, all she needs to do is say, "I'm pregnant." Because of her Right to Privacy, the Government could not compel her to prove the truth of her statement. So she'll get off the hook.

The notion of women in combat is ludicrous. They lack size, physical strength, and stamina. And think of the nightmarish situation it would be for everyone if, while in a foxhole, under enemy fire, a woman soldier should happen to break a cuticle.

Answer 7

To be truely fair, a Selective Service system should require both men and women to register.
At this time, it is a rather moot point because there is no current draft.

Answer 8

I think it would be fair unless they have children. Why? Because women are usually the ones who mainly nurture & care for their children. That's also a very important role which I think should take priority.

Answer 9

Yes they should. We have had them whining for equal rights for over 100years, so let them be equal. If guys have toget drafted and maybe die in combat, so should they. If women refuse then all their rights (voting etc) should be immediately abolished and they return to the barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen life forever.

Answer 10

Yes! Male or female we are all concerned about this country. I think we should be beyond the point where we, as a society, decide competence by whether we are male or female. Thank God for that!