The Draft For All

For John, BLUF:  It is time to have this discussion.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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With women in combat roles, a federal court rules the male-only draft unconstitutional

From USA Today, by Mr Gregory Korte, 24 February 2019.

Here is the lede plus two:

A federal judge in Texas has declared that the all-male military draft is unconstitutional, ruling that "the time has passed" for a debate on whether women belong in the military.

The decision deals the biggest legal blow to the Selective Service System since the Supreme Court upheld the draft in 1981.  In Rostker v. Goldberg, the court ruled that the male-only draft was "fully justified" because women were ineligible for combat roles.

But U.S. District Judge Gray Miller ruled late Friday that while historical restrictions on women serving in combat "may have justified past discrimination," men and women are now equally able to fight.  In 2015, the Pentagon lifted all restrictions for women in military service.

The issue not addressed is that of pregnancy.  In time of war it is important to not allow the continued growth of the population to fall off.  Bearing children is a risky enterprise and require a long term investment.  As we bring women into the draft (conscription) we must also make allowance for that duty that only women can fulfill, giving birth.

Regards  —  Cliff