Women should have to register for military draft, say US generals

The U.S. hasn't used the draft since the Vietnam War, when it caused widespread dissent.

Two U.S. generals have said that they think women should register for the U.S, military draft. (Getty Images)

Now that women are free to serve in all combat roles in the United States military, two generals have said that women should register for the military draft, as men must do when they turn 18.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Gen. Robert B. Neller, a four-star general and commandant of the Marine Corps., said "every American who's physically qualified should register for the draft," according to a New York Times report of the hearing. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley agreed.

These statements came two months after U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter in December opened all military positions to women, for the first time in U.S. history.

"They'll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat," Mr. Carter said at the time. "They'll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men."

In the last few years, the Defence Department has steadily been increasing the number of jobs open to women. But until the change in December, 10 per cent of military jobs -- some 220,000 positions -- were closed to women, according to the Defence Department's website.

Gen. Neller and Gen. Milley said women should register for the draft after being asked their views by Sen. Claire McCaskill, Democrat from Missouri, who said she supports women entering the draft.

"Part of me believes that asking women to register as we ask men to register would maybe possibly open up more recruits as women began to think about, well, the military in an option for me," Sen. McCaskill said at the hearing.

Congress would have to amend the law regarding the military draft before women could register. Congress has made no apparent moves in this direction and the White House has not taken an official stance.

The U.S. military draft is run by the Selective Service System, which traces its roots to 1917 and was created ensure the U.S. had enough soldiers ahead of its entry into World War I. It was also used in World War II and in the Vietnam War, the latter causing widespread dissent. The draft has not been used since Vietnam. Almost all U.S. men between the ages of 18 and 26 must register with Selective Service, including non-U.S. citizens living permanently in the country.

Selective Service could not be reached for comment.

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