Registering for the Draft (US)

VaughanJB

VaughanJB

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Firstly, there is no draft in the US, so no need to worry about that (at least right now!)

I did note a subtle change recently though. And this affects only Males aged 18 to 30.

Anyway, previously you had to register for the draft (not sure how many people actually go ahead and do that - everyone? Half?) But in a sign of the times a recent change meant that males who fit the profile are automatically registered. Apparently this was part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It appears that a large number are simply tied to drivers license applications, but not all.

Interesting? Or not?
 
VaughanJB said:
Firstly, there is no draft in the US, so no need to worry about that (at least right now!)

I did note a subtle change recently though. And this affects only Males aged 18 to 30.

Anyway, previously you had to register for the draft (not sure how many people actually go ahead and do that - everyone? Half?) But in a sign of the times a recent change meant that males who fit the profile are automatically registered. Apparently this was part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It appears that a large number are simply tied to drivers license applications, but not all.

Interesting? Or not?
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Not to get too political, I find the timing of this automatic registering young males for the draft kind of coincidental considering what's militarily going on in the world right now that the US is involved with. I hope I'm wrong.
 
VaughanJB said:
Firstly, there is no draft in the US, so no need to worry about that (at least right now!)

I did note a subtle change recently though. And this affects only Males aged 18 to 30.

Anyway, previously you had to register for the draft (not sure how many people actually go ahead and do that - everyone? Half?) But in a sign of the times a recent change meant that males who fit the profile are automatically registered. Apparently this was part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It appears that a large number are simply tied to drivers license applications, but not all.

Interesting? Or not?
Click to expand...
The shift to automatic registration feels like another example of the system putting convenience above the rights of the individual. By tying it to something as essential as a driver's license, it essentially forces a person to consent to the military draft just to be able to drive to work.

It removes the 'choice' from being a citizen. When you consider that many of these conflicts aren't even formally voted on by Congress, it feels like we are registering a generation to fight in wars that the people didn't authorize. It’s not just a 'subtle change'—it’s a systemic move that treats people’s lives as resources to be managed, rather than lives to be respected.
 
I recently read an article that said young men 18 - ?? (forgot if it was 30 as you wrote), had to register for the draft. Not to do so is a felony. Fortunately, or unfortunately, according to how you look at it, my two age eligible grandsons both have fibromyalgia that's debilitating enough that it might keep them from being drafted.
 
KSav said:
For years I labored under the misconception that a single son, although he must register, cannot be drafted. (Something about being sure there is someone to carry on the family name.) I was always so relieved thinking my own son could not be sent off to war.

Turns out that's not true.
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Wasn't true during WW II, either.
Well, the individual was 'sole support of the household' (parents & younger siblings); the individual's younger brother enlisted, thinking it would exempt the older one from getting drafted.. was drafted anyway.
 
All you need is bone spurs.

I can see both sides of this - automatic registration seems like an over-reach, taking the entire thing into the realm of technology and nothing else. On the other hand, they're now capturing everyone.

But before people worry about freedom, surveillance, and so on - we need to understand that we lose freedoms not in one grand sweep, but little by little. It's chipped away. We're at a time of war, and some believe that won't end any time soon. As such, concerns are very real.
 
VaughanJB said:
It appears that a large number are simply tied to drivers license applications, but not all.
Click to expand...
Good reason to opt for bicycles and public transportation. Less need for gasoline, less need for wars, less need for young men as cannon fodder.

I would think that by now young women would be just as eligible for the draft as young men.
 
Paco Dennis said:
The shift to automatic registration feels like another example of the system putting convenience above the rights of the individual. By tying it to something as essential as a driver's license, it essentially forces a person to consent to the military draft just to be able to drive to work.

It removes the 'choice' from being a citizen. When you consider that many of these conflicts aren't even formally voted on by Congress, it feels like we are registering a generation to fight in wars that the people didn't authorize. It’s not just a 'subtle change'—it’s a systemic move that treats people’s lives as resources to be managed, rather than lives to be respected.
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But you can still be exempt from service for medical or religious reasons, or certain situations i.e. your elderly parents are your dependents, all your brothers are already serving, and a few others. Just a few, probly.
 
Della said:
Good reason to opt for bicycles and public transportation. Less need for gasoline, less need for wars, less need for young men as cannon fodder.

I would think that by now young women would be just as eligible for the draft as young men.
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I hear you, Della.

Despite appearances, I do try not to bore people with similar topics. That said, the window behind which one might hide from the system is gradually closing. We're too connected. Technology is too prevalent. And even those that think they live a life that is disconnected and free are likely being scooped up one way or the other. This is such a case.

I'm guessing that if I had posted a thread saying "People should be added to the draft without telling them by accessing public records from another source", that I would have had responses about freedom, privacy, and so on. But as it is, it's happened, and there's no uproar at all.
 
TeePee said:
Not to get too political, I find the timing of this automatic registering young males for the draft kind of coincidental considering what's militarily going on in the world right now that the US is involved with. I hope I'm wrong.
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Folks this isn't something new. Check the facts. Even though there is no current draft, there has been a requirement for registration with selective service that continued when the draft was stopped back in the 70's.
 
IMO we should all be registered for some sort of National Service.

Imagine what could be accomplished if all able bodied retired people were obligated to participate in some sort of service to their community. It could be a win win if that service allowed us to ‘earn’ Snap benefits, property tax discounts, Medicare premium reimbursement, etc…
 
VaughanJB said:
I did note a subtle change recently though. And this affects only Males aged 18 to 30.
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The automatic registration will affect males 18 - 26 as it's been since mandatory registration began. (I've seen some places reporting 18 - 25 for the automatic... haven't confirmed either yet.)
EDIT: Checked into this further. The cutoff date has always been when age 26 is reached, so nothing has changed with that... it's just in the way it's worded.
 
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Murrmurr said:
But you can still be exempt from service for medical or religious reasons, or certain situations i.e. your elderly parents are your dependents, all your brothers are already serving, and a few others. Just a few, probly.
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Neither of these kept one of my uncles from getting drafted during WW II.. not that he tried to avoid the draft.. and he was 38 yrs. old.
 
VaughanJB said:
All you need is bone spurs.
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Or five student draft deferments for college and law school then reclassified as 1-Y due to asthma. 😄, never served in the military.

Or classified 2-S (student deferment) was not in the military and when found he had a high number, dropped his ROTC plans like a bad habit. never served in the military.

Or work as a community organizer. never served in the military.

As a couple of other presidents you Conveniently neglect to mention while driviling about the bone spur.

So.... what's your point????
 
😯 Is that for real? They should be ashamed of themselves!

My Son has 2 nice bicycles, 2 skate boards, roller skates, 2 pairs of roller blades.
That is how he gets to work or anywhere else he wants to go.
He refuses to drive, never wanted to, so he does not have a drivers license. Just 2 State IDs.

He lives in New York, near Canada, he told me he was thinking about getting Canadian Citizenship.
I am not sure why, he may be thinking about moving to Canada.

I do not think the US Government will ever get him.
 
The U.S. military's Sole Survivor Policy (DoD Instruction 1315.15) protects service members who are the last remaining child in a family to carry the family name after one or more siblings or parents died in the line of duty. Qualified individuals can receive exemptions from combat zone assignments or be separated from active duty, but the policy does not apply to "only sons"
without family combat losses.
 
Thank you @Sunkist

My Son is 32 so maybe..he is exempt.
That is not why he wants to go to Canada, hower I do not know if he knows about this.

No wait...I did see some papers in his room in a folder, looked Military!
I need to go look. Maybe he registered.
He did always tell me everything when he was still here living with me.
 
A little side bar to the US draft issue ...
I'm a Canadian citizen, born & raised in Canada yet I have a draft card issued by the U.S. Selective Service System during the Vietnam days. Was 1-A (you're next) when the card was issued, later reclassified as 1-H (Registrant not currently subject to processing for induction or alternative service) after returning to Canada.

(personal info. scratched out)
Draft.jpg
 
If I’m remembering correctly - when my son was applying for financial aid and scholarships for college it was a requirement he register for selective service . I don’t think it was automatic as I seem to remember going to the post office to get a form to complete and mail in for him.
 
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