The military has drafted men aged 18 and 26 since 1940. Recent speculation has focused on the appearance of women in the draft. In a recent TikTok video, rumors surfaced about women possibly being drafted. Despite low recruitment and retention numbers, no plan has been implemented yet. A number of influencers have continued making various videos to express their reaction to being drafted, including pranks, memes, and speeches.
But for some influencers such as Timothy James, TikTok media star who specializes in creating TikTok content about data pertaining to investments posted a video promoting the myth, with over 4.7 million likes and 57.2k comments responses to the video now rising to the surface. James describes the recent decline of men in the Navy Air Force, Army, and U.S. Navy are at risk of low numbers. In the video, James brings in references to articles with titles like “US Coast Guard missed recruiting targets for four straight years,” to demonstrate that women might need to be drafted, and “this isn’t the first time.” James addresses this in the statement from Senator Hawley, U.S Senator, signed on an amendment by U.S Senator Josh Hawley, member of the Senate Armed Service Committee during 2022 for requiring women to register for selected service. This was soon to be removed by the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) that would prevent this vision.
Many Seminole students stumbled across the various videos posted among influencers of acts on what the individual would do if they were drafted through skits. Others played tricks among their friends and families with fake emails sent stating the individual was being called to join the military within a few days. This feared many students and young women in having to leave and serve their position. With biased information and facts that are left in the dark. Many students remain in question with this rumor. Are women actually being drafted?
PSI Senior, Veda Riggleman, states her thoughts on the rumors: “When I first came across the news, I didn’t really have any strong feelings about it. I thought the jokes floating around were funny.” Many memes across social media platforms Tiktok and Instagram show millions of users creating what women would do during their draft. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal when it was presented. Most posts I saw were light hearted jokes.” Riggleman states. “I don’t think it would be an automatic switch, the American military is well equipped for conflict already. In the event of a draft, most likely male citizens will be drafted, but it is possible to include female citizens as well.
Although men are required to register for selective service, women are given the choice in their participation. For many young women at Seminole High School participating in military related clubs such as ROTC and a recent Navy Club runned by students at Seminole welcome student’s who are passionate about serving for their country. This is a step for young women to become active in the military and the data collected of low rates; may start to increase.
Students like Jazlyn Fields, ROTC Member, and PSI Senior address her hearings upon the news. Fields states “I didn’t know about this at all! I thought only men could be drafted for war. I feel like this will cause some controversy, because on one side some people will feel like women can’t protect the country or will put themselves in danger, and the other side thinks it’s equal rights. I feel like this will be a huge turning point in history, and that most women don’t even want to be drafted.” This was a fear for many women when receiving the news, and their future plans possibly being taken. “I feel like this myth will become true, but I don’t think women will be on the front lines, I think they’d be snipers, positions where they aren’t in direct conflict.” Fields believes the ROTC at Seminole High School will open up for students including young ladies to become a member of the military or branches.
With the spiraling case of rumors circulating, the question comes to play: What will happen in the future for our country, and women’s role in the military? Our country has come a long way in the act of women being able to serve in participation in service. From June of 1948, the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act allowed women to receive permanent status in the armed forces. But the future awaits, with numbers of participating volunteers positioned to make a difference to our country.