by Marie Price

Created on: April 26, 2009

As a twenty year female Air Force Veteran I resent the implication that if the draft was reinstated, every woman in America would suddenly become a draft dodger.

Does anyone really believe that if a draft is imposed every male in America will head straight to the local recruiting office? During the 1960's I seem to remember mass demonstrations with young, draft age males screaming "hell no we won't go", what was that, an affirmation of patriotism?

Women serve in every branch of the Armed Forces in hundreds of difficult and challenging fields. No one had to force them to enlist. To even suggest that a woman would be less willing than a man to defend her home is totally absurd and insulting.

With women fully integrated in to the military, if we will draft women is not the question. The real issue is what criteria will be used to to determine draft eligibility. Will we draft married women with children whose husband is currently serving? Will single mothers be drafted? What about pregnant women? Will they receive a medical deferment until the birth of their child? Should we draft single fathers? Should married couples with children who have no one to care for them still be drafted? What about people caring for elderly or sick relatives? Should they be forced to put their loved ones in a nursing home so they can be drafted? What about the twelve million plus illegal aliens that now reside in this country, are we going to draft them? What about prior service men and women who served less than thirty years, should they be recalled?

The cost and management of imposing a National Draft is a major issue, How will we pay for it? How will draftee's be chosen? Which government agency will have the responsibility of administering the program? With base closures, elimination of programs and funding cuts will the military be able to handle the influx of thousands of new recruits?

The question of a national draft is full of complex issues that have fueled congressional debates for years. The question of whether women should be included in a the draft is pointless.The reality is that women are already doing their part to keep America safe. For those folks who seem to have a severe case of gender phobia, your time would be better spent worrying about relevant issues. You could start with why do we need to draft anyone?

Perhaps instead of gender bashing, we should take a moment and let our men and women in uniform know that we appreciate the great job they do protecting our country and our way of life.

Learn more about this author, Marie Price.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.