Women in combat: Will they have to register for the draft?

[HeiressofBickworth]

47. I have the same objections to the draft that I had during Vietnam

It is nothing more than involuntary servitude -- slavery. Exceedingly poor wages, working conditions that the EEOC and/or OSHA would never approve and the availability of these military slaves makes war all to readily possible to carry out.

If someone wants to volunteer for military service, and the facts of military life and women's chances of rape or sexual assault don't dissuade them, then I have no objections to anyone taking that step. Unfortunately, the military is allowed to lie to potential recruits about the availability of job training and/or education, giving potential recruits the wrongful impression that the military is a solution to a crappy civilian economy and lack of jobs with upward potential. They prey on young, impressionable kids who are facing an uncertain job market. If the military was made an actual equivalent job market with safety measures, commensurate salaries, and adequate after-service health care, then people might legitimately be recruited into service.

My opinion hasn't changed since my brother applied for conscientious objector status when he was 18 during the Vietnam war. Since we were all atheists, he was denied CO status since at that time, only a couple of religions were allowed CO status. That later changed to "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion." He and my mother and sister moved to Australia. My mother has since died but my brother and sister still live in Oz.

So I remain opposed to a draft for my grandchild as well as yours.