Gen. Mark A. Milley and Gen. Robert B. Neller the Army and Marine Corps testified in Congress Tuesday that women should be registered for the Selective Service System. Both Milley and Neller explained to the Senate Armed Services Committee that this is the next logical step for full gender integration of the military.
“Senator, I think that all eligible and qualified men and women should register for the draft,” Milley said.
After the hearing adjourned, Neller reiterated his support in an interview with the press.
“Now that the restrictions that exempted women from [combat] don’t exist, then you’re a citizen of a United States,” Neller said. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to serve, but you go register.”
The Selective Service System was officially formed in 1917 to speed up enlistment during World War I. This first iteration of the draft only recruited men between the ages of 21 and 30. That age bracket was expanded to 18 and 45 in 1941. Throughout the twentieth century, millions of men were conscripted through the Selective Service System and sent to war. However, women have never been beholden to the draft due to restriction preventing female soldiers from entering combat.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s historic December announcement that all combat restrictions be dissolved as removed that barrier.
However, the support of two generals may not be enough to compel the Selective Service System to accept women. At the same hearing, Navy Secretary Raymond Mabus had to defend his decision to disregard the Marine Corps’ application to keep women out of certain roles.
Senate republications in particular expressed concern that this change was happening too fast.
“I am concerned that the department has gone about things backward,” Sen. John McCain said. “This consequential decision was made and mandated before the military services could study its implications, and before any implementation plans were devised to address the serious challenges raised in studies.”