As the military continues its push to put women on equal footing across the military, many politicians and military figures alike are dragging their feet when it comes to the issue of women registering for the draft.
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Two men who are not in that group are Army Gen. Mark Milley and Marine Gen. Robert Neller who both directly said that women should have to register for the selective service at age 18.
The comments came during an at-times contentious armed services hearing on Capital Hill. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Army Acting Secretary Patrick Murphy both remained uncommitted on the issue, saying it should be a discussion.
One thing was clear in the hearing: the contention surrounding the Marine Corps’ reluctance to fully integrate women, especially in tough infantry, armor and special operations jobs.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Defense Secretary Ash Carter expressed their deep disagreement with Neller who sees the Corps’ study and testing on the matter having gone completely unconsidered by two.
The Marine’s tests showed that all-women units consistently underperformed all-male units in areas critical to the more demanding aspects of the job.
For the Army’s part, Milley also voice his reluctance saying “we must not rush to failure.”
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From Fox News:
The top Army and Marine Corps generals told senators Tuesday that it will take up to three years to fully integrate women into all combat jobs, adding that women also should have to register for the draft.
The military service leaders repeatedly vowed that they will not lower standards to bring women into the more grueling jobs. But they warned that inherent physical differences and different injury rates between men and women will have an impact on how the integration moves ahead.
The selective service question revealed differences between the military chiefs and their political leaders. Army Gen. Mark Milley and Marine Gen. Robert Neller both flatly said that women should be included in the requirement to register for the selective service at age 18. But Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Army Acting Secretary Patrick Murphy would only say that the issue should be discussed. Political leaders overall have so far been reluctant to endorse the draft requirement.
With the Navy overruling the Marine Corps, how do you see this issue ending? Sound off in the comments below!
