We’re Going to Draft Your Daughter to War: Equality in Selective Service
What You Need to Know About a Female Draft
Recently there has been a lot of discussion among some of the military’s top brass discussing whether women should register for the draft. The debate comes on the heels of Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s decision to open all military positions (including combat roles) to women. (Quick note: this decision opens up over 220,000 jobs in the military to women, including special operations and infantry). Two House members already introduced the Draft America’s Daughters Act (maybe not the best branding? Come on Congress). If the military/Congress makes this decision to institute conscription for women, is it the right call? Well, first let’s look at the background of the Selective Service.
The draft was instituted under President Wilson in 1917 in order to provide men to serve and expand military power during WWI and, subsequently, WWII, the Korean War, and through the Vietnam War. Drafting qualified young men ended in 1973 as a result of the backlash of its use during the Vietnam War.
During the Vietnam War, draftees were only a small percentage of the overall military force (around 39%). There is not sufficient data to validate or disprove the claim that draftees were more likely to be deployed to Vietnam (except for infantry riflemen being roughly 88% draftees), but there is data to show they died in higher proportions. In 1969, 62% of deaths were draftees. This makes sense given that draftees typically would be less dedicated to both their training and their missions since they did not choose to serve.
In 1980, President Carter reinstated registration for the Selective Service (though the draft itself was not reinstated) as a safeguard and Plan B during the height of the Cold War. Since then, and to this day, men legally residing in the U.S. between 18 through 25 years of age are required to register for the Selective Service. This includes non-U.S. citizens living in the U.S., such as refugees, undocumented immigrants, or those on work visas. Men who are in the U.S. on student or visitor visas are not required to register.
Currently, the military is an all-volunteer service. Men are still required to register for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday (or face 5 years jail time, $250,000 fine, or combination of both), but women are not. So should women be required to register? I vote yes. How can we cherry-pick equality and have things be truly equal? If we celebrate the abilities of both genders but don’t allow the same burden placed on both, then there is no equality. Especially today, when we face terrorism threats both at home and abroad, we could one day be in need of draftees again. Keep in mind also that the military is downsizing its force as it is and so keeping a manned and ready force won’t be so demanding.
Some argue women shouldn’t register for the draft because society needs them at home to raise children or that not every woman wants to serve in the military, but these arguments aren’t mutually exclusive to just women. Requiring women to register for the draft doesn’t mean that if a draft were to happen there would be an equal draw of men and women. It’s like a lottery draw and even if your name is called, rigorous entry standards are in place for all positions and both men and women would need to be able to meet and train for the roles that match their abilities. This isn’t the Hunger Games folks, you still have to be medically and physically qualified. Turns out, though, that the majority of people are in favor of a female draft.
But while we’re at it, if we’re discussing equality, can we talk about the Pentagon’s new parental leave policy allowing mothers to have 12 weeks of maternity leave (from 6), but fathers having 14 days (from 10)? I mean it’s not like I want to spend time with my newborn, get my new life into rhythm, and help my wife out at home… two weeks is awfully generous, I know. Equality is two ways here too Secretary Carter.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
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