There is a move afoot in North Dakota to change the state’s constitution so that National Guardsmen can serve beyond the age of 45 and ensure there is no gender bias. The vote on the state constitutional change takes place today. If the citizens of North Dakota vote for the change, they would be removing archaic language like “all able-bodied male persons.” Of course, the state has paid little attention to this section of its constitution. The North Dakota National Guard has many members who are beyond 45 and many who are women. So, we wonder what happens if voters do not approve the change? According to the Associated Press, the state’s attorney general determined in 2004 that the language does not bar anyone because of age or gender, or, for that matter, residency.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
