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This is one of those divisive issues, like abortion, where there is no in-between and no likelihood of changing the minds of those who have decided one way or the other.

But here is my opinion anyway. Due to the successful efforts of feminists and those like-minded, we have already integrated women into our military and have expended enormous sums of taxpayer dollars to do so. Case in point, when I was in the Marine Corps in 1981-85, many of the male Marines were moved to open squadbays so that luxurious (to our point of view) enlisted barracks could be built for all the women Marines who were flooding the Corps at the time. Not only were the existing male barracks converted for use by women (the way they were weren't good enough) but brand new state-of-the-art barracks were built for them. Unlike the men, who often had to live in 80-men open squadbays, the women demanded and received brand new quarters with semi-private (or private) rooms and private bathrooms. For those who do not understand what a squadbay is, let me explain. A squadbay is a WW2-era barracks, it is a long building with a common head (latrine) in the middle and on each side, 40 men sleep and live jowl-to-jowl on bunk beds, each Marine getting a footlocker and a wall-locker to store his gear and possessions. It is okay for boot camp but once you get out in the real Corps, it's a real drag. You get your drunks coming in at 2 in the morning, bouncing off the walls and whooping it up, you deal with an endless stream of farts, coughs, and whatever else. Most of us would just strap on headphones and try to tune everything out.

Anyway, enough of the whining, but that was my experience. I should also note that women never had to do the infamous "work details" that male Marines were made to do such as mess duty, guard duty or just plain scut work like painting or mowing the grass. Instead, work details for women consisted of either doing clerical work indoors or, believe it or not, supervising the male work details. So you would have women Marines ordering male Marines around doing things that they never would have been made to do themselves.

But nevertheless, women were integrated into the armed services for better or worse. The deed is done and there is no turning back the clock now. Actually women have proved themselves to be quite useful in the military, freeing up the men for combat duty, the one military function that women are still not asked to perform (and it appears that even the most ardent feminists do not want combat duty for women).

So when we talk of a military draft for women, we are not talking about sending women into combat. Let's get that issue off the table right now. We are merely talking about drafting women into the military to assume the roles that they have already been performing, and apparently performing well, for the past two or three decades. Why shouldn't we draft women as well as men?

I should also note that women never had to do the infamous "work details" that male Marines were made to do such as mess duty, guard duty or just plain scut work like painting or mowing the grass. Instead, work details for women consisted of either doing clerical work indoors or, believe it or not, supervising the male work details. So you would have women Marines ordering male Marines around doing things that they never would have been made to do themselves.

Hmmm, I guess that the AF was a lot tougher on it's females in the 1970's than the MC was in the 80's. I distinctly recalling having to mow and edge lawns. We were also required to do KP twice during basic just like the guys, but once you were in tech school or beyond it was contracted out.

I am the father of two daughters, both married with children. I don't think they should be drafted.

My wife is an Army vet as am I. One son in law is a Marine Corps vet, the other was turned down by the Marine Corps because he is 4F due to his knees and polyps in his throat.

My brother is a Navy vet, my nephew a 1LT in the Corps is in country right now. My father and 7 Uncles all WW2 vets.

When every able bodied man including me is suited up, then you can draft my daughters.

I had a very similar experience in the Army LOL.

Why shouldn't we draft women as well as men?

Because no one should be drafted. If a country can't must enough citizens to defend itsself then it can go into the ashheap of history.

So when we talk of a military draft for women, we are not talking about sending women into combat.

Why shouldn't we draft women as well as men?

Actually, we are talking about sending women into combat, for this simple legal reason: In the 1970s an anti-war type brought a federal suit saying the drafting of (just) men was unconstitutional--eventually the USSC rulled that SINCE women were not used in combat--by congressional mandate, there was no need to draft them. Therefore the only legal barrier to drafting women is the combat rule. Since the '70's forward, the feminists have pressured the military (within and without) to allow increasing roles for women--including roles that were once called combat roles.

Since left-wing feminists are anti-military and anti-war generally, this fits well into their agenda (just like those who call for the draft now--its done for anti-war purposes), the idea being when we have America's daughters coming home in body bags we'll be less likely to use our military than otherwise. Roles in peace-time too--neatly divided between combat and non-combat (training exercises)will not be so neat, come a serious war. Physical and emotional strength--as well minimizing distractions for the men--are important even in the most modern technological military.....and women do not help in these priorities. 50% of women on various ships during the Gulf War became pregnant....can you imagine the problems that would cause if we were against a really challenging foe??? Its stupid to the point of absurdity to think you can put 18 year old men & women together and not have serious "family" problems.

Not since pagan times have Western governments forced women into military service. The day our government does this--is the day I help my daughter to be a draft dodger. Its not right and unnatural to require women in the military.