Hey all,

I am getting ready to register with the selective service. I was just wondering if anyone here knew the facts and myths about the draft and what the laws REALLY say?

I am hesitant to register because I am afraid of going to war. Yes, I admit it, I am afraid of dying and leaving my loved ones alone.

Anyway, could someone please comfort me by explaining the facts about the draft?

Hope this helps.


The United States Selective Service

There is no draft currently in effect, and frankly, any president who re-instates a draft will be comitting political suicide. I served for ten years in the Navy, and I can assure you that we will take a voluntary recruit over a draftee any day of the week. If someone does not wish to join the military, then we have no problem assuming that they do not wish to live a military life, and do not want to risk getting killed (both positions which are easily understandable). Our military is moving away from the numbers of the past to a swift, surgical strike force, so the necessity for cannon fodder, one of the primary reasons for any draft to exist, simply isn't there anymore, and will likely never be again.

Go ahead and register. You are safe.

The USAF is currently getting rid of enlisted people, so you're safe there.

I have been writing to Congress telling them I believe the draft is bad, but if they expect men to risk their lifes if needed, women should be expected to, also. I have been doing this almost everyday since the beginning of my freshman year, and I'm a junior now. My mom tells me she wishes I had that much passion about my schoolwork...

Edited because I was not aware that registering was mandatory.

Won't happen.

Like I said, the primary purpose for the draft is for cannon fodder, and no politico is going to send women to die. Bad for votes.

It doesn't matter what you want. It's the law that every 18 - 25 year old male or older must register for SSS. If you do not, you can be thrown in jail and/or given a nice fine.

So unless you're disabled, in the hospital, prison or anything else, you've got to sign up.

It's a law? I never knew that...

So when my sons reach 18 they have to do this... I'm not sure I like that idea... just a typical mom talking here.. but still..

Yeah, they'll have to. The chances of a draft coming up are very slim though.

There is no draft, and given the horrendous impact the last group of draftees had on morale and unit effectiveness, it is highly unlikely there will be another one. Given the amount of training and discipline necessary to function well in today's military, a draft would not actually serve to improve our military effectiveness, but would instead degrade it seriously.

It is mandatory. If you don't sign up you go to jail. There won't be a draft though. Theres alsways jumping the border to Mexico to escape the draft anyways...ironic aint it?

Land of the free indeed. I mean hell there basically forcing people to commit murder.

The Dems cut miltary funding ....Which involves downsizing and the ready reserve personal are getting burnout on recalls..If a major war breaks out..don't be surprise if a draft wouldn't kick in...

Well if you don't want to fight for your country you can always become a conscientious objector.

unless the air force starts adding infantry divisions !

What's that? ::holds up his public school diploma::

How do you know it won't ever happen? Google it. It's been considered quite a few times.



And not everyone who is drafted is put into combat. Besides, women are already flying planes that can get shot down. I don't understand why that wouldn't be combat. Like I said, the draft needs to be abolished. But it's sexist to only do men. Women should have to deal with it, too. I also don't understand why it's okay to send your sons to get blown to bits, but not your daughters.

Where you object to fighting for religious, moral or such reasons. So you'll be put most likely in a support position or something else that doesn't involve fighting. I'm sure some cases just reject you as well.

Doesn't matter. No politician is going to force women in the military, even if there is little chance of them going into comabta positions. It has nothing to do with sexism. It has to do with votes.