The Draft: The Military Draft

“The Draft,” as it is commonly referred to, was enacted in September of 1940. Even though the United States was not yet involved in World War II when the act was passed, President Roosevelt regarded it as a vital method of training American men for military service. By 1940, tensions between the United States and Germany were rising as the Nazis had invaded numerous European countries and the news of concentration camps was spreading. Throughout July of 1940, England was the next country to face Nazi aggression, as they faced attacks from the German airforce and navy. With fears that America would be the next country to face a German invasion, Roosevelt signed into law the Selective Training and Service Act, also proclaiming, “America stands

It requires nearly all male United States citizens and residents to register with the Selective Service once they reach age eighteen. The potential draft reserves is made up of male U.S. residents between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. In 1942, almost a year after the United States joined World War II, the age requirements for the draft were expanded, making men from ages eighteen to thirty-seven eligible. Even with the ramifications of war affecting the entire country, the contributions made by African Americans were disregarded as African American men were not eligible to register for the Selective Service. African American men faced prejudiced assumptions about their capability to perform and if a multiracial military was even feasible. As the war continued, in 1943, a quota was imposed allowing the number of African American males serving in the armed forces to be no greater than their numbers in the overall population, about 10.6 percent. At first, African American males serving were limited to work in labor units, but this restriction also changed as the war progressed, as soon after they were ultimately allowed in

The purpose of the draft is to recruit physically capable citizens to the armed forces if they are required. The draft should recruit from all of the physically capable, no matter their gender. It is frequently argued there are less physically capable than there are men, and while that is true, it should not stop the millions of women who are physically capable. As of 2011, about 203,000 women serve in the active-duty military, including sixtynine serving as generals and admirals. Though this impressive number is only about fifteen percent of the total active-duty force, the amount of women serving continues to rise.

Women continue to disprove the stereotype that they are too “frail and delicate” to serve in the armed forces. Equality means equal rights and equal responsibilities, and if a woman can meet the same requirements mandatory for men to join the armed forces, she should be eligible for the draft. Even if the majority of citizens able to meet the requirements is still men, this would be fair as it gives all women the opportunity to attempt, and those who do meet the requirements will be able to serve their country in a time of