Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives pulled a provision in a bill this week that would have required young ladies to sign up for the Selective Service when they turned 18. Here's a question from the peanut gallery: Who in the world thought drafting young women into the military was a good thing to begin with?
Now, now, now, we hope those on the port side of politics don't get too apoplectic. We sometimes fear their blood pressure might spike. But come now, let us reason together. Young women in a military draft?
Yes, some smaller countries go that route. Especially the ones in danger from all sides. (One in particular comes to mind.) The United States isn't a small country, and we're not in danger of invasion by an occupying army and don't appear to be in such danger anytime soon. Heck, a draft for males hasn't been around in this country since 1973. The volunteer force is working, and working wonders (when it's allowed to).
And just for the record: Any young lady who wants to join the Army or Marines is welcome. The more the merrier! And last year the Pentagon even opened combat jobs to women, to mixed praise and criticism. The point being, young women who want to fly helicopters or fire missiles or climb mountains with the boys--and get all the pay, benefits, promotion possibilities, tuition assistance, retirement possibilities and general sense of satisfaction that comes with military service--can do so now. But her little sister might not be so inclined. And might never be.
Not all men are so inclined, either. But if the nation ever finds itself in a tight spot--a tough, choking, deadly spot--then a draft might be necessary. And most young men at 18 or 19 or 30 years old can carry a full rucksack and a rifle up the hill a few clicks. Or can after basic training. Some young ladies probably won't ever meet the same physical requirements.
But besides all the practical problems, we don't think America is ready yet to watch her daughters sweat out a military draft. The country might be ready for it in another 20 years, or 50 years, but not now.
Something makes us think there are two kinds of pols in Washington pushing for a female draft. One is the left-leaning type who'd like another bludgeon to hit Republicans with: Aha! Once again conservatives show they don't support equal rights for women! And on the other side, the conservative types who would rather make a point than make sense: So you want equality, eh? So sign up for the draft. Take that! Neither side is improving the quality of public discourse.
To any young lady who wants to join the fight: There's a recruiting station near you. Good luck in your chosen profession. And your country is proud of you.
But a draft for young ladies? Call us outdated, call us antiquated, call us conservative. But we'll bet America isn't ready for that yet.
There might be another type of Washington pol who's pushing for a female draft: the kind who'd like to get rid of Selective Service altogether, since the all-volunteer force has been working so well over the years, and thinks outraging Americans this way is one way to do it.
Let's not.
No telling what tomorrow will bring. Remember when America went to fight a war that would end all wars? It didn't. Remember when America began dismantling its military because this was the only country with nuclear weapons and we'd never need bombers and tanks again? That was a foolish policy. Remember when the Cold War came to an end, and other fools talked about the End of History?
Nobody knows what challenges the country will face in the coming years. A draft is a long shot, sure. But not an impossibility. Keep the Selective Service. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Editorial on 05/21/2016