Selective Service System chief plans to discuss registering women at Newsmaker, Jan. 29

Lawrence G. Romo, director of the Selective Service System, plans to discuss registering women for any future draft at a National Press Club Newsmaker on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. in the NPC's Zenger Room.

Like all Newsmakers events, it is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

In December 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that starting in 2016 all combat jobs would open to women. That has raised speculation about making it obligatory for women as well as men to register for a possible draft.

Romo also plans to talk about rules requiring undocumented male immigrants ages 18-25 to register, the agency's outreach and compliance programs, and the status of voluntary civilian SSS boards on stand-by if a draft is called for. His Newsmaker appearance is being held in conjunction with the NPC's American Legion Post 20.

President Obama appointed Romo to be the nation's 12th director of SSS following his service as manager of the Soldier and Family Assistance Program for the U.S. Army's 5th Recruiting Brigade. He also has been a long-time participant in U.S. military academy candidate screening committees. Romo is a veteran and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

For more information, please contact Tony Gallo of the NPC Newsmakers Committee at 202-544-6973 or [email protected]; or Ken Dalecki of American Legion NPC Post 20 at 301-680-0592 or [email protected].