A new controversy revolving around the draft registry, the advantageous theoretical recruitment of United States citizens to serve in the military, has made the federal government question what should be done.

After Senator Claire McCaskill questioned the military leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the national debate, the question of women being included in the draft was forgotten and the topic of a draft even existing was approached.   

The draft registry, an ancient tact to gain military recruits in war time is far outdated and unneeded during a time when the United States has ample volunteers, men and women included, to join the military.

Although it was reinstated in 1980, the draft has not been used since, and now seems obsolete to everyone but the government. This obligatory registry acts as a security measure for the military as a “low-cost insurance policy in case a draft is ever necessary,” as said by the LA Times.

Despite the requirement of the draft registration, the question of women being included in this hypothetical situation is brought up. As the twenty-first century continues on and the fight for equality among the sexes is ever present, it seems obvious that the inclusion of women in the military would be unquestioned.

Equality benefits many, but along with that comes responsibility of serving one’s country if a draft were to happen, and many young people might not want to take on this heavy burden.

San Juan Hills High School’s Femme Club president, Adrienne Pham (12), spoke out on the matter of women’s inclusion in the draft.

“I don’t feel that people should be obligated to join the military if they don’t want to. However, if we needed to [instate the draft], it would need to be fair for everyone; it’s not fair that men are compelled to go into war and women aren’t,” said Pham.

Pham is absolutely correct; women should be obliged to join if men are also. Although it is unspoken that the draft is not necessary at this time, equality demands that both men and women would serve in a draft.