Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

Defense Project Series: Should Women be in the Draft? A discussion about the future of the Selective Service in America

Harvard Faculty, Fellows, Staff, and Students

Please join us for an important and timely discussion on whether or not women should be required to sign up for the Selective Service and, therefore, potentially be involuntarily drafted into the military in the event of a national emergency.  Honorable Debra Wada served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Major General (Ret) Dennis Laich served 35 years in the US Army Reserve and is the author of an influential book advocating for the draft.  Bill Rapp will moderate the discussion.

Date: Time: - Location: Online
Female soldier's doing a uniform check

Biographies

Honorable Debra Wada is CEO and founder of Senshi Ame Advisors and served as Vice Chair of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.  She was previously the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower & Reserve Affairs. Appointed by President Obama, Ms. Wada was responsible for all personnel issues affecting military, civilians and contractors, as well as training and readiness policies. She had oversight of over 1.5 million people and a budget of over $80 billion. Her responsibilities also included programs that supported Army families and dependents, including health care. Ms. Wada spent more than 25 years working in the U.S. Congress, including over a decade of experience on the House Armed Services Committee, culminating in her role as the Deputy Staff Director.

Major General (Ret) Dennis Laich had a distinguished 35 year career in the US Army Reserve culminating as the commander of the 94th Regional Readiness Command.  He currently serves as the PATRIOTS Program director and Ohio Dominican University helping veterans meet their educational goals.  General Laich wrote Skin in the Game:  Poor Kids and Patriots in 2013 advocating for a draft to make military service more equitable across the various communities in America.