In an odd push for equality, the Obama administration declared its support for requiring women to register for the military draft in a "a symbolic but significant shift that reflects the U.S. military's evolution from a male-dominated force to one seeking to incorporate women at all levels."
This is part of an otherwise healthy effort to remove gender-based service barriers in the military, and the administration emphasized that it is still committed to an all-volunteer force.
Women, like men, wouldn't be forced to serve unless there were a national emergency like a major world war.
So why not just remove the archaic Selective Service law instead of elevating women to the privileged status of being slave soldiers? Well, that would require Congress overturning the law, which can't be done in the next two months before Obama leaves. The symbolism he's going for would be lost on our short attention span culture, or simply knocked down with the incoming administration.
Unfortunately, this is a step in the wrong direction and if conscription were ever invoked in the future would make for many unhappy slave soldiers.
Note to any seething nationalists reading this in disgust: I've spent most of my career in, and then working with, the military, including years in combat zones. I loved the experiences, but conscription = slavery.
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Image source for hot military chick: https://www.pinterest.com/mymilitaryvids/military-girls/