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02-12-16, 10:29 AM #1
Lawmakers move to abolish the draft
As Congress begins debate on whether to force women to register for the draft, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers has a compromise solution: Get rid of it altogether.
On Thursday, a group of four representatives — Mike Coffman, R-Colo.; Jared Polis, D-Colo.; Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.; and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif. — introduced new legislation to abolish the Selective Service System, calling it an outdated and unneeded program.
“Maintaining the Selective Service simply makes no sense,” Coffman, a Marine Corps veteran, said in a statement. “In 1973, the last draftee entered the Army and since then, despite the first Gulf War and subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon has never considered reinstituting the draft.”
The idea comes amid dueling proposals from other lawmakers either requiring or continuing to exempt women from registering for the draft for the first time in U.S. history.
In December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced plans to open all infantry and combat-unit positions to women, provided they meet gender-neutral job standards. The military’s past prohibition on women serving in those roles also provided a legal backing for excluding women from registering for the draft.
Coffman said re-opening of that debate provides a timely opportunity to get rid of the Selective Service System. Agency activities cost taxpayers roughly $23 million each year, and a 2012 Government Accountability Office report questioned whether the system could even provide a viable list of draftees to the Defense Department if needed.
Military officials have repeatedly said that reverting to the draft from the current all-volunteer system would have significant negative impact on troop training, readiness and quality.
DeFazio noted that young men who fail to register for the draft face penalties, including denial of federal student loans and potential criminal punishment.
“Not only will abolishing the Selective Service save the U.S. taxpayers money, it will remove an undue burden on our nation’s young people,” he said in a statement. “We need to get rid of this mean-spirited and outdated system and trust that if the need should arise Americans — both male and female — will answer the call to defend our nation.”
Defense Department officials have said they are reviewing draft rules and regulations, and expect to issue recommendations in coming months. The issue is expected to be a key point of controversy in the annual defense authorization bill debate.
It has also become a talking point on the Republican presidential campaign trail. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio have both offered support for having women register, while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has voiced strong opposition to the idea.
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02-12-16, 07:42 PM #2
If there is a next world war no one will have to worry about it anyway. If we have a world war it will be the end of the world.
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02-12-16, 08:28 PM #3
How about we go back to the draft? Everybody does 2-3 years of some kind of service, whether it's military or a new version of the CCC or something else, no exemptions. Old idea, I know, but I'd be for it!
Maybe I was born after my time, I'm never quite sure I fit...
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02-12-16, 09:51 PM #4
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02-13-16, 07:18 AM #5
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02-14-16, 10:21 AM #6
I agree with both Pat and Andy! However, our congressman and senators wouldn't approve t, because their sons, daughters, and grandchildren would be subject to either the draft or a work program.
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02-14-16, 11:09 AM #7
Correct !
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02-14-16, 11:25 AM #8
Totally agree with the above and always have.
I recall registering with the selective service prior to joining The Corps.
I have no problem with everyone serving in some capacity like the noted examples above.
Yep....politicians certainly wouldn't want their loved ones having to chip in....so to speak.
Mas cafe para mi....back to it.
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02-14-16, 02:17 PM #9
Well let's see! Those same politicians who think Women should be in combat roles shouldn't have a draft or selective system for women. I think that's total bull....!
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02-15-16, 07:48 AM #10
Should that happen....the old farts Battalion is standing by. I'll be happy to lead the charge. Of course, I'll have to sit down and catch my breath every 50 yards, which will give those old Marines in wheelchairs and using canes time to catch up. Those on oxygen will be given the position of tail-end Charlie.
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02-15-16, 08:56 AM #11
Count me in! I'll need a portable C-pap however, but I can still pull a trigger.
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02-15-16, 11:05 PM #12
I hope your wrong about another world war, but, im pretty sure your not. I have 2 marines,almost 3, but, got him talked out of it, and into college, although, I think, he'd be a good candidate, for your computer, war, technology. He's a wizard with a computer. both my marines,went in on their own, although I think it would do our youth alot of good, and might even straighten out the country, again. But, I think when they sign themselves in, you are more apt to get the cream of the crop. and better, Marines, or what ever they go into.
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02-16-16, 06:08 AM #13
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02-16-16, 06:11 AM #14
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02-16-16, 08:21 AM #15
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Devil Dogs....no more...
03-17-24, 02:03 PM in Open Squad Bay