During peacetime, people scarcely think about the legal requirement that hovers silently over every man’s head until a massive war occurs, at which point it becomes a lottery that no one wants to win.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines conscription as,”compulsory enrollment of persons especially for military service.” This definition applies to all countries in all forms. In the United States of America, conscription goes by a different name: selective service. USA, a government site, informs readers that all men between the ages of 18–25 must register, though some with certain circumstances may be exempt. This registration doesn’t impact a person’s life until a war sparks and the government enacts a draft.
The debate over selective service has persisted over the years, probably since its first implementation as well. Heritage claims that, “the Selective Service System is outdated” and should be revised to be completely voluntary. On the other hand, Vox argues that the lack of an active draft has, “severed most Americans’ obligations to the military” and, “reduced their attention to foreign affairs.” Furthermore, some people believe that the selective service should be altered to be more inclusive, that women should also be required to register. The Washington Post explains the discussion and how some people believe that, for equity purposes, women should register, while other groups argue that women shouldn’t be a part of the military.
As simple as the selective service seems, it has several aspects that have to be considered. The way it currently stands may come across as sexist and old fashioned, perhaps even unnecessary when the world remains peaceful. However, perspectives may change if the world falls again into war and disarray.
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