The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would automatically register men ages 18 to 25 for the Selective Service, the vehicle for conscripting soldiers if the draft were ever reinstated. The Senate Armed Forces Committee then passed a version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would call for women to register for the draft.

While the United States has not had a draft since 1973, the military faces significant recruitment challenges, which has revived the debate about whether compulsory service is once again necessary.

The Selective Service System requires men ages 18 to 25 to register. However, women have been excluded from the requirement because until 2013 they were not allowed to fill combat roles. But the last restrictions on women in combat were lifted in 2016.

The Senate version of the NDAA, if signed into law, would be a culmination of these changing views, recognizing that women are equally capable and willing to serve their country in various capacities. The legislative change aligns with the military's ongoing efforts to promote gender equality within its........

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