Should Women Be Included In The Draft?

04:23

February 03, 2016

Capt. Kristen Griest salutes during the graduation ceremony of the United States Army's Ranger School on August 21, 2015 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Capt. Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver are the first women ever to successfully complete the U.S. Army's Ranger School. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

After the Pentagon’s decision to lift gender-based restrictions on combat units in the U.S. Armed Forces last month, the discussion now turns to whether or not women should register for future military drafts.

The move also makes the 1981 Supreme Court case about the Selective Service system relevant once more, raising constitutional questions about equal protection.

Last used in Vietnam, can the controversial mechanism of supplementing the military with manpower in times of war, be reevaluated too?

Here & Now’s Robin Young speaks to NPR's Philip Ewing about the possibilities.

Guest

Philip Ewing, national security editor for NPR. He tweets @philewing.

This segment aired on February 3, 2016.

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