Military Leaders: Register Women For Draft

[Purveyor]

Source: Military Times

By Leo Shane III, Military Times 12:38 p.m. EST February 2, 2016

The Army and Marine Corps' top uniformed leaders both backed making women register for the draft as all combat roles are opened to them in coming months, a sweeping social change that could complicate the military’s gender integration plans.

Both services, along with the Navy, have begun work to open all military jobs to any service member after a decision by Defense Secretary Ash Carter in December to lift all gender-based restrictions on combat and infantry roles.

On Tuesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told senators during a Capitol Hill hearing that full integration of those jobs will likely take a few years, to overcome logistical and cultural issues.

One of those complications will be how to handle the Selective Service System, which requires all men ages 18 to 26 to register for possible involuntary military service.

Read more: http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2016/02/02/army-marines-women-combat-jobs-draft/79695978/

[jmowreader]

1. Why we need a selective service system today is an open question

Since the last man was conscripted into military service in the United States we have held three major wars (Iraq 1, Iraq 2 and Afghanistan), plus FSM only knows how many minor ones, AND done untold amounts of disaster relief and humanitarian work, without one involuntarily-enlisted soldier in the ranks. Why do we need to spend money on this agency?

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Iraq 1 was under 700,000

WW2 Drafted almost 12 million or 60% of all who served during the war.

Most of what we have experienced lately is small compared to a global affair.

[James48]

6. Not a question to me-

I was born in 1960. So the draft ended before I turned 18. And I had to register at age 20 after Carter reestablished registration.

I then joined the Army i 1982, and spend 21 years in Uniform.

I can tell you that the very possibility of a real draft, bringing both men and women into service, would tempter our politicians down from rushing to war.

None of the military campaigns while I served, except the strike on Afghanistan after 9-11, merited our nation's involvement and the deaths of American soldiers. Not Grenada, not Panama, not Gulf War I, not Gulf War II (Iraq). AN Afghanstan should have ended after the death of Bin Laden, in my book.

Having a draft is a good reason for our nation to have second thoughts before resorting to military action.

I did not support the draft in 1980- I marched against registration in D.C.

But today, as a 55 year old Army Guard retiree, it will make us less likely to go to war.

And we need that.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. The draft didn't discourage the politicians from escalating in Vietnam

Possibly, the draft enabled the build-up during LBJ's time as Commander-in-Chief.

[olddad56]

15. but the draft turned so many people against the war in Vietnam, and that helped end both...

the war in Vietnam and the draft.

The draft forced so many more people into the military and into the war, than the actual number of draftees represents. I was one of probably millions that joined because I knew if I didn't, I was going to get drafted. At least I got to choose the branch of the service that I wanted to serve in. Go Navy.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. I'm not sure what ended the war, but it wasn't the draft

Many protested the war, starting years before the war ended. Some even before the war really got going. I joined many protests, once I got out of the Army (I hate boats) .

The war went on another five years after I got out. So I don't think the draft had a big influence on the pols. Especially Nixon.

[tazkcmo]

9. Darn Tootin'

All wars of choice. The comparison to Vietnam don't hold water as that's when the American people woke up after being lied to about the steady progress just before Tet.

[w0nderer]

3. K & R for visibility of this N/T

[KamaAina]

4. This was one of the arguments against the ERA

that it could well open women up to being drafted.

[tazkcmo]

10. Speaking of that

I support drafting women only after they're treated equally. Pass the ERA.

[A Little Weird]

5. On general principal, I have no problem with women being drafted

But they need to get their epidemic of sexual assault straightened out first.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/military-sexual-assault-facts_b_4281704.html

[Bayard]

11. Same thing I was thinking

From what I've read, sexual assault is rampant ......

[unhappycamper]

7. Why do the generals think we need a draft?

We have been at war for fifteen years now and they are trolling for more cannon fodder. Do I think women are capable of performing most/all jobs in the military? Yup. Do I think we should? Nope.

We have made a mess of the Middle East and Africa and Afghanistan - and now we want to 'fix' it? With more bodies? Oh, and Libya is on the table for invasion and occupation.

IMO, the only reason we went into Afghanistan was for the opium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegations_of_CIA_drug_trafficking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan

FWIW, the reason we won the Cold War is because St. Ronnie spent them into the ground. B-1s, B-2s, F-14s, F-15s, etc. etc. etc.
Fast forward 25 years and now we are spending ourselves into the ground. If we keep bombing/invading/occupying countries. this is what you can expect to see within the next few years in the United States:

https://www.google.com/search?q=russian+military+rusting+cold+war&btnG=Search&gbv=1&tbm=isch

[Nay]

12. The generals don't think this. These are 2 Republicans who think that

they will throw "females" into a crying turmoil if they become subject to a draft. These 2 are essentially MRA types, I'm sure.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Actually Hunter, with all his defects

is a VETERAN... I know outside his district people still think this is his father serving.

So for once, I agree with a republican. Women want equality, all MOEs have been opened to women, well, fine. register as well.

[Nay]

14. I wasn't intimating that women shouldn't be subject to a draft; I

was claiming that these 2 Republicans aren't interested in fairness to men or to women -- they think that they can frighten women with the draft and get women to back off over other inequalities if they can get women to say they don't want a draft for themselves. Of course, most women, not being selfish assholes, have always thought that equality meant equality in everything, but it is axiomatic for men like this to think that all women want "all the privileges" and none of the work, an idea that is the basis of 90% of the MRA ranting on the internet.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Given that Hunter served

I think we will have to disagree

When it comes to the DoD and his beloved service, the man is serious. This is not a stunt in his case. And yes, I cover him as part of a political beat.

[Nay]

17. OK!