Selective Service System's Future

[queentonic]

The future of the Selective Service System could be decided in the next three months.

This week, the 11 members of the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service held public hearings on questions surrounding the nation’s draft registration program, including whether to add women to those lists and whether to scrap them entirely.

The event was part of a series of 14 planned events to gather public comments on the ideas in advance of July, when the commission is scheduled to vote on a number of potential changes to the system.

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https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/04/25/three-looming-questions-on-the-selective-service-systems-future/

[BigmanPigman]

1. Is this the system that Carter brought back in 1979?

I remember going alone to an anti-draft rally in Phila that year. I still have the button on my old high school jean jacket. I always wondered why women weren't included in this.

[Mariana]

4. In 1980, women were prohibited from serving in combat positions.

There's no point in drafting people who aren't allowed to fight, so there was no point in making them register in the first place.

The question of why women haven't been included since that prohibition was lifted is a separate issue. I suspect it's just too politically unpopular for lawmakers to push for either requiring women to register, or for ending registration altogether.

[HAB911]

2. What does President Putin want?

That is the important question from Trump's perspective

[flotsam]

3. If they're gonna bring it back...

there have to be just two rules:

1. Everyone registers. Females included

2. Everyone drafted goes. If not fit for combat then a full enlistment in civilian service. No deferments and no excuses. No "important"
work exemptions.


It may sound harsh but if the system can be gamed it will-look no farther than the number of prominent republicans who avoided Vietnam service-many with five exemptions and convenient marriages. And no joining service reserves or alternate services after you've received a draft notice. No education deferments. Just implacable fairness....

[hack89]

5. We can't afford a fair draft

the US military is the smallest it has been since prior to WWII - after all the volunteers have enlisted, there will be very few draftees needed. Just do away with it.

[hack89]

6. There is no place for millions of draftees to serve.

the US military is the smallest it has been since prior to WWII - after all the volunteers have enlisted, there will be very few draftees needed. Just do away with it.

[SQUEE]

7. I still wonder if a mandatory, no deferment public service would not be a boon to our nation.

Link it to tuition for college, and expand it to a WPA type option for those opposed to military service.