Should the Selective Service include females?

I'll go out on a limb and suggest that a draft might be the fairest way to go, provided EVERYONE was obliged to serve and there are no exemptions except for medical reasons. No deferments for those in college, the rich, those whose daddies can bribe a congressman, etc., as they did during the war in Vietnam. Right now we have what is called an "economic draft"--it is mostly the less well off educationally and economically who serve. While it does provide decent pay and benefits, it is often the only job these young people can get. Sending only the poor off to do our fighting seems unjust.

I'll preface the next part of this by saying that military service is, and always has been, the last thing in the world I have ever wanted to do. But if a draft was instituted, to be perfectly fair it should include women as well as men. Many women already serve honorably and well. I understand that in Israel women are drafted alongside men, and it works for them. The chief bone of contention is whether women should participate in combat; that is a hotly contested issue which I will not go into now. I'll just mention that there are many non-combat-related jobs in the armed services.

My objections are mostly practical, like who would care for the children, the elderly and the sick? And, as others have pointed out, who would work in defense-related industries and keep the economy rolling at home?

I'm talking here about what I would consider most fair, though my instinctive reaction is "no way."

I'll go out on a limb and suggest that a draft might be the fairest way to go, provided EVERYONE was obliged to serve and there are no exemptions except for medical reasons. No deferments for those in college, the rich, those whose daddies can bribe a congressman, etc., as they did during the war in Vietnam. Right now we have what is called an "economic draft"--it is mostly the less well off educationally and economically who serve. While it does provide decent pay and benefits, it is often the only job these young people can get. Sending only the poor off to do our fighting seems unjust.

I'll preface the next part of this by saying that military service is, and always has been, the last thing in the world I have ever wanted to do. But if a draft was instituted, to be perfectly fair it should include women as well as men. Many women already serve honorably and well. I understand that in Israel women are drafted alongside men, and it works for them. The chief bone of contention is whether women should participate in combat; that is a hotly contested issue which I will not go into now. I'll just mention that there are many non-combat-related jobs in the armed services.

My objections are mostly practical, like who would care for the children, the elderly and the sick? And, as others have pointed out, who would work in defense-related industries and keep the economy rolling at home?

I'm talking here about what I would consider most fair, though my instinctive reaction is "no way."

Double post. I had trouble posting the first time and went back and hit the button again. Sorry!

Women should have to sign up for selective service, I don't really care who they think they are or what their life has against them. Sure sign them up!

In fact to be fair, they need to have a draft of only women. and a war where we put just women in front line positions. Give em an M-16 and let them shoot off at the enemy.

Im sick of hearing about this selective equality crap. It's either be equal or get out of the way. Women have in my honest opinion have just as much qualities as men do. I can't stand this crap about the glass ceiling. The only ceiling there is, is the one a woman sets up for themselves. If they can't be powerful enough to do better then they don't deserve more.

I think women that do the same job as a man should be paid as much as a man. It's just fair.

But I don't agree with a woman to get paid as much as a man if they aren't going to do the same job as a man or are taking time off for family constantly.

So yes, selective service should be a requirement for women. Equality should be equality.