Plan B Forum

Army and Marine Corps chiefs: It’s time for women to register for the draft

By Dan Lamothe February 2 Follow @danlamothe
Top military leaders say women should register for the draft

At a Senate committee hearing on Feb. 2, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) asked top military leaders if women should have to sign up for the selective service now that combat jobs are opening up to them. This is what they said. (Gillian Brockell/The Washington Post)

The top officers in the Army and Marine Corps testified on Tuesday that they believe it is time for women to register for future military drafts, following the Pentagon’s recent decision to open all jobs in combat units to female service members.

Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army, and Gen. Robert B. Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, both said they were in favor of the change during an occasionally contentious Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the full integration of women in the military. The generals, both infantry officers, offered their opinions in response to a question from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who said that she also is in favor of the change.

“Senator, I think that all eligible and qualified men and women should register for the draft,” said Milley, echoing the remarks of Neller.

Australian MPs allowed to breastfeed in parliament

2 February 2016

The Australian House of Representatives has changed its rules to allow lawmakers to breastfeed and bottle-feed in the chamber.

Under the old rules, MPs could only take babies into the public galleries or offices of the parliament building.

The leader of the house welcomed the changes to "antiquated" practices.

Breastfeeding in parliament is a controversial issue in many countries, and lawmakers have been criticised for taking their babies to sessions.

The new regulations in Australia mean MPs' infants will no longer be considered as "visitors", banned from entering the chamber of the lower house.

The changes were approved after a recommendation from a parliamentary committee.

"No member male or female will ever be prevented from participating fully in the operation of the parliament by reason of having the care of a baby," House Leader Christopher Pyne said.

"There is absolutely no reason that rules should remain in place which make life in politics and the parliament more difficult for women."

Forty of the 150 members of the House of Representatives are women, and three have had babies since March, the Associated Press news agency said. Four other MPs are reportedly due to become fathers...."

I think several of us on the board aged into adulthood during the window between when the draft ended and mandatory registration began

Big RR wrote:BB--I registered around the same time, but had to go to the selective service office, not the post office. Things were winding down, so I wouldn't be surprised if different towns treated it differently. I had an initial 1-H classification, then a 1-D one when I joined ROTC (guaranteed that I could finish college so long as I stayed in ROTC--I didn't believe the draft had really ended). I have no idea where the card is now; it probably went out with the trash.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 3:09 pm
I think several of us on the board aged into adulthood during the window between when the draft ended and mandatory registration began. Registration seems like a waste with no benefit at this point, but if we have it, it should apply to everyone.

rubato wrote:When I was in HS '70-74 the boys Dean came and got you within 6 months of your 18th birthday and made you fill out the form right there. He took it back and mailed it in.

Nothing optional about it.


yrs,
rubato