As the US military faces recruitment challenges, Congress is considering reforms to the draft system. One proposal under discussion is requiring some US women to register for the draft. In 2023, the US military fell short of recruiting goals by approximately 41,000 recruits.
On June 14, the House of Representatives passed an annual defense policy bill that included a bipartisan proposal to expand the maximum age of the draft from 25 to 26. This measure was last used during the Vietnam War era and currently, most US men between 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service. The Senate has also approved a bill that would require women to register for the draft, although these proposals face challenges in becoming law due to some Republican opposition.
The debate on whether women should be included in the draft has been ongoing, with a recommendation from military experts in 2020 suggesting that Congress enact this measure. However, not all members of Congress support including women in the draft, with some arguing that it should not be mandatory for women to serve if they do not wish to.
As global risks persist and recruitment challenges continue, Congress may continue to consider reforms to the draft system and other changes to increase the number of active service members.
