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Those who did not want to perform military service could instead apply to serve in the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps. (AP Photo/File)

Proposed legislation to bring back draft would include women, offer non-military options

BY Alyssa Kleven  on February 21, 2013 @ 12:51 pm (Updated: 2:40 pm - 2/21/13 )

It was the footnote on the announcement that the last of the military combat roles would be open to women: the draft.

Congressman Charlie Rangel is no stranger to wanting to bring the draft back, and now it seems there is no reason not too.

His latest proposal, the National Universal Service Act, would require young adult American citizens to commit two years of service to their country either in the Armed services or as a civilian.

Those who did not want to perform military service could instead apply to serve in the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps.

KIRO Radio host Andrew Walsh says while he hopes the draft is never reinstated, Rangel offers some interesting points.

Producer Tina Nole, agrees she wouldn't want to be drafted, but says she understands Rangel's efforts.

Part of the motivation for bringing the draft back, she says, is that everyone would have a stake in our present wars. In that piece of the argument she says, she's all for it.

"My father was in two tours in Vietnam, so war was a big part of my life," says Tina. "It was that way because they were drafted. That whole time was completely different. And as I grew up, in my 20s and 30s, these two wars we're in now - because I'm in news I'm very affected by it - but I don't know anybody that's there."

Andrew and Tina agree on the equality issue. If a 21-year-old is healthy, man or woman, either should be up for the possibility of the draft. No one, they say, would be given a job where they can't pass the physical tests - man or woman.

But above the equality issue, Tina says she's interested in the other services suggested in Rangel's legislation.

"I didn't spend a lot of time volunteering," says Tina, who went straight from her studies at Evergreen to the working world.

So when it's time for a mid-life crisis, she thinks she might have to join the Peace Corps and head for the other side of the world.

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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Comments (14)


  • Add A Comment

  • Moondoggie wrote...
    It will only be fair
    February 21, 2013 2:00 pm
    when women who join or are drafted are thrown into the same pool as the men. Right now, the plan is to allow women the right to fight on the front lines. The only fair way to handle this is for the women in the military to have to fight on the front lines if their commander thinks that’s where they are needed. Once they sign on the dotted line, if headquarters decides they need several women to draw the fire of the local Taliban so the male members of the unit can then mow down the Taliban with machine gun fire, then so be it. You’re in the army now, ladies!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Well
    February 21, 2013 5:48 pm
    I hope war ends soon.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Stupid eF ing idea!
    February 21, 2013 6:28 pm
    Yeah, Lets cut our Military to the bone and then re-instate the draft. eF You!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    They gave you the option of Cival Service
    February 22, 2013 5:17 am
    Maple, since your afraid of the military
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • elvira wrote...
    great for a few
    February 21, 2013 9:13 pm
    So a handful of women want to go into combat every woman will be subjected to the draft. Meanwhile women in the military want woman who are being raped in by our own troops to shut up so they don't look weak. Some hero's they are. The fact sexual assault in the military is so bad women shouldn't be in the military. theusmarinesrapecom
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    "Equal" rights
    February 22, 2013 5:17 am
    are a bizatch, aren't they....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gaymarriedchristianfromhollywood wrote...
    It's fair.
    February 22, 2013 10:19 am
    But very scary!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    02-22-2013... the draft...
    February 22, 2013 1:14 pm
    Ahh the left, the left. Roosevelt WWII. Truman Korea. Kennedy/Johnson Vietnam. The piquant stench of the left. (we omit Iraq/Afghanistan because there is no draft during these peccadillos) Government COERCION of individual citizens is the MANTRA the HALLMARK, the TOUCHSTONE, the NORTH STAR of the American left. If you want a draft then by gum you make sure your own people serve. We older people clearly remember the deferrals. Only poor folks went to the suck.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    hnuh
    February 22, 2013 9:07 pm
    Only poor folk? Really? My Grandfather went (Iwo Jima) My Father went (Viet Nam). My family is considered well off. You paint with a broad brush.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    Don't be silly delta.
    February 23, 2013 7:17 am
    You know that during Nam if you were wealthy and didn't want to be in the military you had easy ways out. Lots of worthless college degrees handed out like basket weaving. Those of us without the means had no choice unless you wanted to COWARD up and run and hide in Canada. If your family served it is because they wanted to. Good on them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    The draft and jury duty ---------
    February 23, 2013 12:52 pm
    Both are involuntary servitude. Has anyone asked just why the 13th Amendment does not apply ?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Saltchucker wrote...
    No too many show up for jury duty.
    February 23, 2013 1:37 pm
    The jury pool was rather small when I got called last spring. Good thing the "servants of the court" settled all but one case that week out of court.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Jury duty, got called about 23 years ago
    February 24, 2013 6:13 am
    haven't seen a card since. Lucky me :)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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