Ebbie-I believe that it is two years for women, four for men, and that certain conscientious objectors (in practice, the Ultra-Orthodox Jews) are exempted. The problem with the requirement is that it gives the president the power to decide the occupation of every person in the nation between 18 and 26 for two years of their life. Given that there is absolutely no need for such authority, and it seems incredibly unconstitutional except in a period of national emergency such as a declared war, this is highly problematic. Further, almost all provisions of this bill are placed under the President's control, allowing him to draft any person, for any purpose, without warning, should he choose to do so. He is also empowered to provide no compensation whatsoever, should he so desire. The bill makes women subject to the draft, and allows conscientious objectors to be placed in any position within the military "that does not require any combatant training component," which can still place them under fire or make them indirectly responsible for the killing of enemy combatants or noncombatants (a fire controller for artillery may not be considered to include combatant training).
|