One of the starkest ways American women have achieved
equality with men in the workplace has occurred in the military.
The decision five years ago by then Defense Secretary Ashton
Carter to open all positions in the armed forces to women - including combat
duty - was largely applauded as a necessary step that benefited the military
and society.
But this levelling of the military playing field has led to
a more divisive consequence - at the end of March the government's National
Commission on Military, National and Public Service declared it is now time
that women become eligible for the military draft - the procedure by which
individuals are chosen for conscription - just like their male counterparts
between the ages of 18 and 25.
Currently, all male US citizens in that age bracket,
regardless of where they live, and male immigrants - documented and
undocumented - residing within the US, must register through the Selective
Service System.
These registrations create a pool of men who could be
pressed into service if the US needs tens of thousands more troops to fight a
war or if the country faces an existential crisis.
Women have also been serving the US military for
generations, from sewing uniforms during the Revolutionary War to nursing the
wounded in World War II. But they have never been required to register for the
draft, a stance increasingly at odds with the reality of American's modern
military.
"The mere fact that women would have to register would
signal a national recognition that everyone is expected to serve if needed and
that everyone's service is valued equally," says Kara Vuic, a war studies
professor at Texas Christian University, who is writing a book called Drafting
Women.
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