Rostker v. Goldberg - Validity Of Rostker Questioned

In the early 1990s, the restriction on women from serving in combat roles in the military was ended. The Rostker decision relied heavily on the facts that women were excluded from combat and that the purpose of the registration requirement was to identify combat troops for time of war. Because women may now serve in combat roles, many have questioned whether the Rostker decision is still valid. However, regardless of whether the decision is still valid, it has been of little significance in the Court's resolution of other gender discrimination issues. The case has been considered a case relating to Congress' power to raise and maintain the nation's armed forces. Its reasoning and decision has not been extended by the Court to other gender-discrimination issues outside of military affairs.