Selective Service (military conscription)
No gender oppression is comparable in magnitude to the deaths of males in war, which includes forced conscription. Over 20 million male soldiers died in WWII alone, about 500,000 of them U.S. soldiers.
In the U.S. males must still register for the draft by age 18, including “only sons” and even disabled men if they can move about. Historically, a large percentage of men were drafted before they were old enough to even vote. The Vietnam Memorial has 58,000 male names and 8 female names. Males throughout the world are still forced to fight wars, even at ages as young as 6 in some countries.
People who say “men make war” are the same ones who find it sexist to say men make science, medicine, etc., as women were restricted from participating and still did contribute in many ways. The same is true of war. Women leaders supported and declared wars, and women in the general population have supported wars at almost the same rate men have. E.g., 76% of women and 86% of men supported the U.S. military attack in Kuwait and Iraq during the Gulf War.
In his report, “War and Gender,” University of Massachusetts political scientist Joshua Goldstein documents how women have actively encouraged military adventurism, both in modern and indigenous societies, and that in the face of imminent conflict, women goad their men into combat. In the Revolutionary War, women were known to withhold sexual favors from reluctant fighters. During the Civil War, Southern belles refused to accept suitors who did not take up arms. In World War I, British women organized the White Feather campaign in which they gave a white feather to men who refused to fight, as a sign of their unmanliness. Among the Bedouin, frenzied Rwala women bare their breasts and urge their men to war. Before the 1973 coup in Chile, women threw corn at soldiers to taunt them as “chickens.” During the era of the Soviet Gulag, female interrogators were just as ruthless as their male counterparts in extracting confessions. In the Rwanda genocide, Hutu women played a major role in killing Tutsi men.
“Women of every social category took part in the killings. … Some women killed with their own hands. … Women and girls in their teens joined the crowds that surrounded churches, hospitals and other places of refuge. Wielding machetes and nail-studded clubs, they excelled as “cheerleaders” of the genocide, ululating the killers into action.”
African Rights report, Rwanda – Not So Innocent: When Women Become Killers, August 1995.) http://www.gendercide.org/case_rwanda.html
Not sure if anyone sees this message or not, but here it goes:
Is there anyone who can provide legal contacts for discussion about the validity of address updates that are done post age 25 by the Selective Service for males who were already registered with the SS? Under the current law, address updates are only required if the man is 18-26, and the member is not required to provide an address update in the cy in which he turns 26. Is it legal for them to make these changes, outside of the parameters of the law, based upon files received from other federal agencies or mainly state DMVs, without the consent of the individual? Is this a violation of privacy rights and the law itself? Further, must a man sign off on the initial registration or can the government register the man without his knowledge or consent? I am told this will be the case with the new national identification card the government will now require I believe some time in 2025, if not further delayed.
I am also willing to assist anyone who is working against the SS through other channels.
Hoping this reaches someone.
Dear NCFM
It is extremely unfair to have a male only
U.S. military draft because twice as many young men
are drafted every year because young women are not
performing their fair share of responsibility.
The U.S. is currently at war with the U.S.S.R. by
violating the rules of the U.S.S.R. by providing any
unauthorized aid or encouragement to the Ukraine of
any kind.
There is a very high risk that the war involving
the Ukraine will inspire congress to reinstate the
U.S. military draft.
Is NCFM willing to tell congress that daring to pass
a all male U.S. military draft will create a new
solid standing for NCFM to sue against the all male
military draft and possibly even obtain a Supreme
Court order requiring the Selective Service system
to also draft young women in order to preserve
the draft for the current war in the Ukraine and
relief troops for NATO countries ??
Even a request to debate getting rid of mandatory
jury duty might help put pressure on congress
to place the military draft and its registration
into deep standby mode.
Eric Matteson
The USSR is no longer a country (and it hasn’t been for decades) and I don’t think it’s pedantic to point that out. We, as NCFM participants, already risk people attacking our credibility before glaring mistakes in content. Please serve the cause by exercising diligence in content creation to ensure accuracy and validity.
Hopefully it will be solved soon. I would hate to see it stand for much longer in my life. I am 17, and in a couple months I’ll turn 18. As I am biologically female (though live as a male) I may either end up facing signing up for selective service or not at all. However, if it is applied to women, I doubt it will be applied equally. Other countries have showed this, time and time again. So that is why I would prefer it to be abolished completely.
However, here is an argument you could use:
1. The current male-only one is against the 19th amendment. It requires you to sign up (as a male) or lose your right to vote. Women do not face this, meaning that men’s right to vote at the age of 18 is abridged, meaning that it is sex discrimination and is unconstitutional.
2. If it expands to women, it is against the 26th amendment. It abridges the right of men and women to vote at the age of 18.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Sexual identity is an interesting if not problematic insertion in this debate for sure.
The Supreme Court refused to hear the case on selective service on the grounds that congress was discussing the Issue now that congress refused to resolve the issue will you appeal to the Supreme Court again or is there another path forward?
NCFM filed a new case today!
For ages I’ve spoken to the males that come into my sphere of influence about the consequences of failing to register for selective service. I’ll have to admit I did not focus on the right to vote because I was more focused on things these particular young men, would care about utilizing.
Consider the types of employment and aid, a failure to register, would disqualify a youth from. In addition, what about those youths that were incarcerated and since released, during a time they would have typically learned of Selective Service. I’ve happened across someone released on the cusp of their 26th birthday. They were so jaded from incarceration, they were incapable of receiving guidance on what they would only consider as “THE DRAFT!” To my regret, I have since discovered that I could have completed a registration for them.
I’ve also come across young men who have been selecting “No,” on the Selective Service portion of applications. Unaware of what Selective Service is, the choice on applications is obvious. Whats even sadder are those that select no, because they are unaware their guidance counselor has already registered them.
One of the Evils of Selective Service, is it will allow someone to be registered without their knowledge, and still apply the penalties when they select “NO” on an application. Selective Service does have an appeal process for those denied benefits. Being ignorant of Selective Service, is a valid reason protected by law. However, anyone truly ignorant, may have been denied college financial aid, 10 years ago. Sadly, that same 28 year old, missed his High School Guidance counselor appointment, so the counselor completed a registration on his behalf. However, that 28 year old has been saying “No” on every application they’ve ever filled out. The only way they can remain ignorant, is to never get feedback on why they were not selected or even considered. Tragic!
If Selective Service is a disqualifying factor, then any application that uses it, needs to stop and redirect upon a disqualifying selection. No matter its original intent, failure to Register for Selective Service, serves as a “Silent-Disqualifying-Factor(SDF).” Similarly to how “Driver’s License Suspension” is described at https://arcg.is/1X85KW , this SDF “Disproportionately Harms Communities of Color & Low-Income.”
Contact Judicial Watch and they are looking for a (born female) person to attempt to sign up for Selective Service and get denied so they can take it to the Supreme Court.
Dear NCFM ( June 20, 2021 )
U.S. Supreme Court justice
Sonya Sotomayor has decided to
transfer the case 20-928
NCFM V. Selective Service System
to congress for deliberation
and a verdict.
I have attempted to send a e-mail
with my opinion to U.S. senator
Alex Padilla.
Dear U.S. senator Alex Padilla:
( June 18 , 2021 )
I am asking you to amend the
Military Defense Authorization Act ( MDAA )
to abolish selective service registration.
.
Instead of continuing to waste money on
a all male registration for a draft which
should never occur we need to concentrate
resources on developing a high quality
all volunteer U.S. military.
If anybody tries to accuse you of being weak
on defense tell them about your plan to have
every student take and pass the written U.S.
military ASVAB test before applying for any
form of federal student financial aid.
Passing the ASVAB test will do far more to
prepare each student to be allowed to apply
for federal student financial aid than just
registering for registration without a draft.
ASVAB test results can inform each young
person that they already qualify for a list
of good jobs in the all volunteer U.S.
military now which could be a good alternative
to getting student financial aid and then
flunking out of college because textbooks
for advanced courses are not in stock in
the bookstore and the college has decided to
offer all its courses in the form of worthless
online only courses.
.
I also want you to continue efforts to develop
a all volunteer jury system where volunteers
choose a starting week and a courthouse without
choosing a specific trial.
A all volunteer jury system will help get people
to recognize that the United States is a nation of
volunteers and it is important to fully support a
all volunteer jury system and a fully funded all
volunteer U.S. military that is adaquate enough so
a draft will never be needed so the selective service
registration can now be safely terminated and not be
reinstated later.
.
Even though the U.S. Supreme Court believes that congress
has a constitutional right to raise armies that allows
congress to decide whether selective service registration
is needed and who has to register it is important to know
that the U.S. constitution does NOT protect student financial
aid of any kind.
Try to imagine a future Supreme Court case in which a 27 year
old man is denied federal student financial aid because selective
service forgot that he had already registered for the draft at age
18 and at the age of 27 it is too late to re-register to qualify
for student financial aid. Student financial aid allows women to
get free Pell grants without being required to register to be
drafted even in a extreme wartime emergency.
All forms of FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
because men and only men are discriminated against every time
selective service forgets that a man has registered for
peacetime registration without a actual draft.
.
Current selective service registration depends on men being required
to register before receiving federal student financial aid of any kind
as its only reliable form of enforcement. Putting every man in
prison who did not register for the draft is way too expensive
especially in peacetime. Most young men do not know that they have
to register for registration without a draft until they try to
fill out a FAFSA to apply for federal student financial aid.
Men who get jobs right after High School and then get laid off
at age 27 and then try to get federal student financial aid find
out at age 27 that they need to register for registration
without a draft to get student financial aid but are not allowed
to register for the draft after age 26 but women do not have
this problem because federal student financial aid is
UNCONSTITUTIONAL because it discriminates against men.
.
Pretty please vote to completely abolish selective service
registration now unless you have a personal desire to watch
the U.S. Supreme Court ( SCOTUS ) strike down federal student
financial aid later.
Eric Matteson
ericmatteson2001@yahoo.com
The Supreme Court won’t hear it. What can we do now?
Not sure. We have to let the dust settle a bit then figure it out.
The amendment to the NDAA that requires
selective service registration to treat
both sexes equally is supposed to be
debated by the U.S. Senate in December
of 2021. Is NCFM planning on lobbying
the Senate to pass that amendment??
( The male only draft is unfair
because it drafts twice as many boys
each year into involuntary servitude
when girls receive a undeserved
exemption. )
Eric Matteson
[…] a 1981 case initiated by the National Coalition for Men (NCFM), the Supreme Court upheld male-only registration in a 6-3 decision, with the majority […]
Not a surprise that the supreme court won’t touch this. In all fairness equal rights should mean across the board for all. But look at the military Physical fitness test it allows more time on a run for a women then it does a man, as well as the push up and sit up. The pay is the same by rank and if you flunk you will get discharged, however the standards are easier for women. How is this fair to any man.
Yes I am woman. Biologically I believe women are not suited to combat.Biologically women are not covered with near the physical strength and stamina due to way more muscle mass as men. I believe biologically we are suited to bear babies and breastfeed babies.We have a Menstrual Cycle that sometimes takes up 1/3 of each month in it’s cycle of swelling, tenderness, discharge of uterine lining and ongoing cleansing. (I am sorry some of you as biological men feel discrimination in that Nature has freed you of these issues.)( We would NOT have a USA if all men felt as such victims!)( I am glad the U.S.Supreme court refused to hear your case of being discriminated against in the drafting of males into our Military!)( Wars are almost always for the Elite, by the Elite to steal. Spend more time and money doing Law Suits to stop organized stealing by laws corrupt Politicians are passing. Also more Lawsuits on why women still are hired less in most jobs, let into less College Courses, paid 20% in wages overall, and whose income goes down 65% between age 50 thru 60, due no doubt to being judged more on their physical appearance.)
While we do not agree with your views and completely disagree with you data, your opinion is appreciated. Thanks for sharing it.
NCFM
I sure hope you do not vote,because you have no skin in the game. I am so sick and tired of women like you, you probably are the type who thinks we should be in Afghanistan forever so some little girl can go to college. No one paid for my college. Believe me the minute I could I would deregister from Selective Service. I am not go fight and die for lazy women. Get my point of view. People like you make me sick. You have all the equal rights to me, but yet you never registered, what do you say to that.
So why should men have to pay the price than for wars by the elite.Make women register so we can we have full equality, or better yet no draft at all. How about that for a concept!
I just heard that the original court ruling was upheld yesterday. I’m anxious to know what the next step is and how optimistic you are about what is to come. I can’t believe we’ve come this far only to be stopped now.
Ethan, good questions. We will appeal and are working with attorneys and plaintiffs to do just that. Thank you for asking.
The excellent online men’s rights site, “The American Gentleman’, discusses the male only military draft and other facets of men’s rights in relation to national defense in the online article: “Feminism and National Defense”. The URL of the article is: http://amerigentleman.blogspot.com/2014/12/feminism-and-national-defense.html
I served with the U.S. Army; 4th I.D.; 2/8th Inf.; Republic of Vietnam 1969-1970.
Did you know that recent studies indicate that white male Vietnam Veterans were subject to significant economic discrimination according to Social Security records? Yes, it’s true. Another reason to end the male only military draft.
Thank you for the information. This is the first time we’ve been made aware of the economic discrimination against white male Vietnam Veterans. But given the national animosity at the time for the war and our soldiers it’s not a surprise. However, we suspect that such economic deprivation was not simply based on race and that soldiers of all colors suffered similar discrimination. Thanks again. Please send us more information like this.
The biggest reason that Congress is considering a return to compulsory military service is
that there is so little opposition to mandatory jury duty. In mandatory jury duty people
of both sexes are compeled to travel long distances to distant courthouses and threatened
with very large fines for failing to show up. Many jurors die in traffic accidents going
to court and end up every bit as dead as military draftees.
With jury duty already mandatory many elected
Congresspeople think that people will also submit to a even larger mandatory miltary service
requirement with little or no opposition. Both sexes have enough physical strength for modern
military weaponry so women will be required to register with Selective Service to be
eligible to receive student financial aid or a abortion.
If anybody of either sex wants to prevent a draft then start by requesting the legislative
branch develop an all volunteer jury system where volunteers choose a starting week
and a courthouse without choosing a specific trial. Making jury duty voluntary will show
Congress that people prefer voluntary service to country and will guarantee that the
U.S. military remains all volunteer.
Yes I agree. If women were in the selective service maybe because of political pressure and outrage leaders would think twice. Men are considered expendable and disposable. It would be good for women to have to register for the draft at least to experience the sense of foreboding or at least humbleness which comes from doing so. When we experience what the other sex feels at times maybe we would not see them as expendable. Basically after registering you are like a criminal over the next 8 years of your life, as if wearing an ankle bracelet so the government knows where you are at all times. And your only crime was being cursed by God and having been born male. Honestly I don’t believe women will ever be required to register. The congress will fight to keep it all male and women as they did in the past will fight being included. They have not marched on Washington the past 40 years for men to be excluded but they will fight for themselves as they did in 1980. I personally don’t care if women get drafted. Not that I hope for it but don’t care just as they never cared about the men who have died since the Garden of Eden. Indifference fosters indifference. Some of us have imagined if our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters are drafted and die. It would just be nice for once if women imagined their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons being drafted and dying as well and felt something. Why fight for a sex who cares less about you? If females care so much about their young then why is there an only male draft? I think that females care about their female young is more accurate. At least this. I believe God is ultimately in charge and his will be done. I think in his eyes all people are created in his image and likeness and all war is abominable. Anyone registering therefore is an abomination to him. Thanks for the chance to respond. With Respect
So, I’m a little confused about this. I personally identify as a feminist, or “egalitarian” as some say I should call myself. And when it comes to Selective Service, I would love if it didn’t exist. But, because that’s unreasonable, I do believe that all genders should be required to sign up for it. However, in our current society, the military is an extremely hostile place for women. They are frequently belittled, alienated, and sexually harassed or assaulted. If women were required to register, what would your suggestions be for making the military a safer and more welcoming place for women? Also, I have often heard the argument “well, equal rights, equal responsibility!” But I don’t feel that women and men necessarily have equal rights as of right now. Well, perhaps they have equal RIGHTS (debatable), but I don’t feel they have equal treatment. What are y’all’s thoughts on this? I’m really, genuinely interested in a discussion.
I am also confused. In which society is the military extremely hostile to women? Not the United States. I have 10 years in the Air Force and 10 in the US Army. Never have I ever seen a woman treated in such a harsh manner as you describe. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen at all but I have seen lots of instances of men belittling, and alienating each other but no male service member that I have ever seen has done that to a female service member. I see a whole lot more of females being treated with kid gloves compared to how males are treated. Have you actually served or are you just going off of some television show?
Hello Isla.
You say the military is extremely hostile, it is hostile to men as well. I think that may be the point because the battle field is far more hostile. I think the bad environment is an attempt to desensitize an individual to neglect and abuse. This new experience will change women as well as society.
As for equal treatment, well the treatment isn’t always equal. And sometimes that inequality benefits women, not men. If you doubt me take a look around this web site.
“Probably Not the Kind of Equality Women Had in Mind”
https://nvf.org/probably-not-the-kind-of-equality-women-had-in-mind/
Finally , after 200 years of having the right to vote, women now also have the same responsibilities for full citizenship. Most women would not qualify for combat roles , nor do many men, however there are plenty of of support roles most would qualify for. This weaker than men argument to avoid the draft is fallacy. This decision will certainly pave the way for progress in equality before the law and its application which will benefit both men and women. This will not weaken but strengthen the military since the talent pool for highly skilled supportive roles will be doubled and those women who are keen and able to qualify for physically demanding roles will be able to. Let’s not forget the National Organization of Women’s policy statement in 1980 that still stands, that while NOW opposes the draft in any form, but if there has to be a draft , women should be required as equals to register.
Congratulations NCFM.
Men and women are against this change in large majority’s and there is no reason to believe that women would comply or be judged for it, thereby diminishing the social expectation on men. Weakness tempts the war that it makes us unable to fight. You are endangering America and I am interested to know your sources of income especially foreign sources. It would also be interesting to know more about the hack judge you managed to shop this to, who apparently is unaware that women are held to a lower physical standard, without which their participation would be minuscule. Why no case addressing that disparity? Is it because America’s enemies are paying you to lower the American military’s standards?
I applaud female participation in the military but it remains a mans duty to defend his people and nation, when called to. If you don’t like it then why don’t you give birth to a pair twins? …or do you only want equability when it benefits you?
Mr. Kopp,
We are approving your comment to show our readers how some people fail to understand our Constitution and its protections. This country worldwide is envied for our pursuit of justice and equality. This case, our case, against the Selective Service System takes a firm stand on our unshakable belief in the pursuit life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, our court victory will surely lead the the strengthening of our military forces rather than undermining them. Regardless, thank you for you comments.
Mr. Kopp,
Actually the US Army has adopted the Army Combat Fitness Test which is gender neutral.
https://www.usar.army.mil/ACFT/
Once the combat exclusion was removed the Army decided that all personnel need to meet the same standards in order to do their jobs. Women need to meet the combat fitness standard in order to be eligible to serve in a combat arms field. Several of the British Commonwealth militaries have made similar changes and the other branches of the US Military have moved in that direction.
So your statement that women are held to a lower physical standard is rapidly becoming out dated. Say what you will about the fool hardiness of allowing women into combat roles; I am in agreement with you. But the US military is not going to allow readiness standards to drop because of it. Hooah!
Thank you for the update. What you say makes sense and has made sense for a long time. All troops should meet the same high standards regardless of their occupational designation.
Thank you for real logic!
I fprgot which woman said this about the subject but it was, “clearly combat is not for everyone” meaning when and if women have to sign up for selctive service the can work in desk jobs.
They should certainly have to fulfill equal combat roles.
Your talking about combat so I really hope you have been there – combat veteran
So, I’m a little confused about this. I personally identify as a feminist, or “egalitarian” as some say I should call myself. And when it comes to Selective Service, I would love if it didn’t exist. But, because that’s unreasonable, I do believe that all genders should be required to sign up for it. However, in our current society, the military is an extremely hostile place for women. They are frequently belittled, alienated, and sexually harassed or assaulted. If women were required to register, what would your suggestions be for making the military a safer and more welcoming place for women? Also, I have often heard the argument “well, equal rights, equal responsibility!” But I don’t feel that women and men necessarily have equal rights as of right now. Well, perhaps they have equal RIGHTS (debatable), but I don’t feel they have equal treatment. What are y’all’s thoughts on this? I’m really, genuinely interested in a discussion.
First, if you read the articles on this and similar sites you will soon realize that in westernized societies women have as many if not more rights and protections than do men without any corresponding responsibility. Just so you know, in our current society, men in the military are often falsely accused of inappropriate behavior, are often disbelieved when telling the truth, alienated from they peers, social networks, and families; and sexually harassed and assaulted. More importantly, they die and suffer catastrophic injuries far more often than do women in the military. Military deaths and injuries are hardly equitable, don’t you agree?
As a female, with 3 boys of my own. I do believe we devalue male life more so than female. If women are required to be drafted maybe our leaders will think more carefully about wars.
I know this is about gender equality and the fairness of the constitution, and I agree the requirements of the selective service is very discriminatory. The women’s movement has brought this upon themselves.
I would be careful for what you wish for. If your pragmatic about this. Imagine, as a child, if your mother was drafted. Or how would you feel if your wife was drafted and not you.
I believe we are the only species on earth that fight our natural instincts. Most male mammals will fight for their females. And the females are the ones who care for the young.
I pray, someday that your wife or daughter is drafted for the sake of equality.
Let’s not forget the Roman boys who were raised from birth to be soldiers. They knew NO OTHER LIFE. Honor and remember these poor souls, too… they could have been artists, poets, writers, statesmen. Instead they were raised from birth to be killers for the state.
What is the status of the NCFM suit against the govmnt for sex discrimination in selective service now that the ban on women incombat is lifted? It will be very interseting to see what methods the feminist organisations use to try to weasle out of this one.
see: http://ncfm.org/2013/06/news/selective-service/dragonslayer-schlafly-wrong-on-selective-service/
What is status of lawsuit? I can’t find anything on Case Number 2:13-cv-02391-DSF-MAN, except your press release of 2013.
Selective service would now be unconstitutional since the combat restriction on women has now been lifted. This was the only reason previous law suits failed to overturn the male only registration. I hope a young man eligible for SSR will challenge this ASAP because they re not going t o address this unless there is a challenge. At this point challenge has to succeed with the combat ban lifted. this is good news for male equality despite the pumped up claim that its a women’s rights success.
Selective Service should end, you're right.
I fail to see your point. Women were regulated by men in what they could and couldn't do in society, and it had been this way for centuries. Women were raised to"know their place", and it wasn't to take part in war most of the time. This is why more men die in war than women. Women should have been at home making babies and caring for the family while the men were away, which was why women were not supposed to be involved in warfare on the battle fields.
Your statistics are completely moot point. You just point out that more men die in war than women. Well DERP. This is because men are encouraged to go to war and fight for their country, because women can not really do this. Women are physically a weaker sex, therefore were expected to be useful by doing things back home.
As "MASCULINE" males, you should know this. >_> But sounds more like you are bitching about it instead.
Also. EVERYONE is capable of killing. Even women. And even men. Women have a natural instinct to kill just as men do.
Your points are not impressive, and you bring no realistic points in your "issues".
Anon, the point is that BOTH men and women have been discriminated against throughout history, in different ways, but nobody addresses the anti-male discrimination. Men don't make war any more than women do. The elite make war, and they force males to do the fighting. That's called sex discrimination. And it's one of the worst forms of it, forcing someone to fight. That's the point. Women were forced into their role, and men were forced into theirs, and neither had much "choice" in the matter. That''s what NCFM is about, raising awareness about that side of the story that gets ignored.