Military

Will Women have to Register for the Draft?

Now that the doors have been opened for women to fill combat roles, will they be required to register for the draft? Military leaders are looking into this possibility.

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Read More- Military Times

Image- Daniel Woolfolk/Staff

Advertisement
Advertisement

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.