Selective service, has been in place in the United States since 1917, and it gives the government the ability to institute what is commonly referred to as "the draft."  This controversial mechanism was used to famous effect in World War II and the Vietnam conflict by compelling men registered with the service to serve in the military.  Every able bodied, American male between the ages of 18 and 26, is legally required to throw their name in the hat in case the need arises for the draft to be re-instituted.  On Friday, a Federal judge in Texas ruled that not only was the requirement sexist, it was unconstitutional.

Women have been rightfully able to serve alongside their male compatriots in the military for years now, but have never been required to register for the draft.  U.S. District Judge Gray Miller ruled from Houston late Friday in a lawsuit filed by men's rights group the National Coalition For Men, that denying men who don't register for selective service by their 18th birthday federal services like federal employment and student loans was no longer fair.  According to the ruling:

In short, while historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft."

It's unsure what the next step will be, but it looks like in the very near future either everyone will have to register - or no one will.

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