the last time the issue was seriously discussed in congress was the year 1979 after four days of hearings congress resisted a movement by president jimmy carter to include women in registration for a possible future draft. two years later the supreme court made an official male only selective service since this time period we womens equality has greatly increased.

so do you think its fair that women cant be drafted?

i personally think there should be no such thing as a draft what so ever and all military service should be completely voluntary

While I don't live in the US I agree with you about how there shouldn't be a draft, it strips a person of their freedom and free will, kind of ironic considering how it's supposed to be for defending freedom.

Back to the topic at hand though, if there however is to be one there is no reason the exclude women. Gender equality goes both ways, which means there should either (preferably) not be a draft at all or it should include people of both genders there is really no good reason not to.

I live a country with a draft. Even though I met some many fierce females in my time there in the army, it sort of ticked me that they were there because they wanted to. I was there because I HAD to. So I don't know. Maybe it would just be for the best that there would be no draft and if you are up to it, then you go?

But then again, the draft would do a lot of girls good if it is supposed to do good for us!

I agree that it should all be voluntary, for many years, the thought of being drafted terrified me, and I just dont like the idea of being forced through it for anybody.

zanderlex :

Hop two! You live and you learn, buddy. Heck, they made me a corporal for all things sake. It is not so bad. But worry not. I bet you are off the hook.

I had to sign up for the selective service a few months ago, so it's still fresh on my mind.

I personally don't know if there's a non-sexist reason for excluding women from military drafts, so I'll just hop in the "It should be voluntary" category.

Here's to hoping there won't be any wars in the next decade.

Draft is there because countries do wrong things, and often there is someone who needs to defend those stands... But that's not the topic. 

I don't think women should be in Combat, because warfare is different then the "clean cut" wars of the past. Often the missions have things that would seems only partially okay. Something on the "gray lines" and things like that are hard for anyone, but I believe that it's much harder for a woman to do. If you want to honestly talk about what I'm saying, PM me... 

So, in short, I don't think women should need to register for the draft! I pray that day will never come, for their sake and for the rest of the nations' sake!

darthyoda :

Women I trained with would be insulted if they would not be put in combat and I, who had the same training, would be. Well, we are all cannon fodder in the end but we know it.

You're asking the wrong question. Not only should women be exempted from draft, but it shouldn't exist at all.

Drafting is a form of slavery. The state simply says that, for a certain period of time, you have to take up a gun and go someone you don't know in a foreign country or be accused of treason. 

The US military has mostly been voluntary and should stay that way. It's going to be more efficient in that manner since people enrolling "want" to be there. And even if there were an invading force trying to overtake the country, I predict that still "enough" people would enlist because they see an immediate menace to theirs and their friends' wellness.

According to a political history professor, compulsory military service is one reason why World War I happened. This "armed peace" made it easy for governments to mobilize people quickly.

Brigand: I would rather protect the women in the world from the HORROR of combat. It's not about rights, it's about the sheer horror combat provides. The women in the Armed forces are brave, there is no denying that! They have the guts to defy the physical limitations many embrace, regardless of gender. 

I would rather that women have the right to stay home. And, yes, I did just say RIGHT. Why the right? It's because they don't have to fight, and that is a privilege!

darthyoda :

If I could, I would deny everybody, both women and the men from the horror of combat and I would rather have everybody to have the right to stay at home. But I wont deny the women I served with and their bravery. Ofcource they volunteered, yet I had to be there. But I will be damned if I would make soft of their courage and spirit by belittling them. And if there would ever be a war, I would trust them as my sisters as I would trust the men I served with as my brothers. We all know what we would be facing and what we are giving up when we serve. In a sense, these fine women folk are even more brave than most. They were given the right to just stay behind, yet they gave up that right because they are warriors.

Brigand : i am to quote to you why darthyoda thinks women shouldn't serve in combat:



"My point can really be condensed into one short phrase... But I would like to ask if you have seen the movie American Sniper? If not, then watch the trailer... You will see one of the hardest things anyone could do. Shoot a young boy who is trying to kill Marines."

then went on to say


"There are women who can take the shot, but it takes just a seconds hesitation for 5 people to die... But I do know that I could even struggle with shooting that."

then concluded his point with


"The special connection women have with kids, also, no offense, but women can't develop the same muscle mass that men can, and therefore hauling a guy off the battlefield while under fire would be much harder. It's just the way I see it, but it is a concern of mine, as a man who wants to enlist."

im just saying his parts ill send you the entire PM if you want but what i forgot to ask him is how often does that situation happen

Buga-the-Knut :

I appreciate darthyods opinions. He may think what he thinks, but he is not a mean guy. He just wants what is for the best.

Women might not be as strong as men, but they can be smart, wicked and more agile is all I am saying. And when I did my time, I saw a bunch weepy wimps who had to do their time too,and compared to them some of  the ladies who volunteered were much better material. So who is who and who cant do?

And American sniper doesn't mean a thing to me. I served in the same army that spawned the best sniper in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4

Biologically, women are not as physical as men, therefore it would be a waste of arms to train a woman in the armed forces and give her a gun when you could a man. This is also true for mental capacity and other things such as emotional security.

I believe a draft is well justified in situations necessary, but no in a time of peace if enough soldiers have already been recruited to keep the country safe.

Sword legion :

"This is also true for mental capacity and other things such as emotional security. "

What?!? Its not like every single male is also up to the challenge. Well okay, fair enough if you live in a world where boys wear blue and girls wear pink and boys play with cars and girls play with barbie dolls,no exceptions ever,  but how about the fine women of the Israel army who  did even more time than I ever did? Could you take one of them on yourself?

It wasn't that long ago when women were not allowed to study in universities or go to bars by themselves. And sure, you are not much up for anything if you are forced to live a sheltered life and told your whole life you cant do what the boys do. I am not trying to say males and females are the same physically. All I am saying that people are not uniformly the same among genders, is all.