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Post by nybound on Feb 13, 2009 2:22:44 GMT -5
I get home the other day and decide to bring in the mail for once to help out my mother. As I'm walking to the door of my house I notice a letter for me. For me?! I rarely get anything in the mail unless I order something, so I opened it on the spot only to find it's my papers to register for the selective services of the US. I immediately went into a bit of a rant.
The letter informs me I'm an 18 year old MALE that needs to be registered for the draft. Basically, in my eyes, the government is telling me at any moment we can tell you to go DIE and if you fail to comply with this piece of paper we'll throw your ass in jail and never allow you to do anything in this country. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, I am, but my view of war is death, not glory. And please don't try to tell me I'm anti-military or anti american. It's more so of a love-hate relationship with the military. I thank our armed forces for protecting my freedom and giving me the right to voice my opinion. But the thought of ever registering or picking up a rifle has never crossed my mind.
The draft is sexist. Plain and simple. Democrats and liberals alike always preach that the constitution is a living breathing document and needs to adapt to our time period and current events. We can all agree over the past 50 years women have gained more rights than ever. They fight for equality, so, if they're going to be equal, GET THE SAME PAPERS I DO. It isn't news to anyone, females DO serve in our armed forces.
I need to go to bed, more on this when I awake.
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Post by Retired in CV on Feb 13, 2009 3:29:42 GMT -5
I understand your concerns. While many look at it as an opportunity to serve their country, there are many who want to avoid the military for any number of reasons. You can contact an attorney for legal advice if you want to protest signing up. I agree that signing up should not be gender specific. Many other countries have mandatory service requirements that includes women. Here, most register and make an issue of it IF they get called up. Read the link below. The last actual draft was in 1973 and registering was discontinued. Under Pres. CARTER the registration was resumed. The registration was a hedge towards preparedness in the case of an emergency. The chance of being drafted doesn't look likely as a draft was not undertaken during the current two wars and we are approaching a close in one of them. The Obama administration is not likely to institute a draft either. More information follows: www.militaryspot.com/military-draft.htmMilitary Draft Selective Service RegistrationThe Selective Service System is tasked with preparing to manage a military draft if and when Congress and the President so direct. The Selective Service System has not received such an order, but will maintain its readiness as required by law. If and when the Congress and the President reinstate a military draft, the Selective Service System would conduct a National Draft Lottery to determine the order in which young men would be drafted. According to the Selective Service System, almost all male U.S. citizens regardless of where they live, and male immigrant aliens residing in the U.S., are required to be registered with Selective Service if they are at least 18 years old but are not yet 26 years old. Complete information at the Selective Service System Web site Note for Undocumented (Illegal) Aliens
If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It's the law. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number. When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636. Be sure to register before your 26th birthday. After that, it's too late! Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Brief Overview of a Military DraftHere is a brief overview of what would occur if the United States returned to a military draft: 1. CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT AUTHORIZE A DRAFT A crisis occurs which requires more troops than the volunteer military can supply. Congress passes and the President signs legislation which starts a draft. 2. THE LOTTERY A lottery based on birthdays determines the order in which registered men are called up by Selective Service. The first to be called, in a sequence determined by the lottery, will be men whose 20th birthday falls during that year, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. 18-year-olds and those turning 19 would probably not be drafted. 3. ALL PARTS OF SELECTIVE SERVICE ARE ACTIVATED The Agency activates and orders its State Directors and Reserve Forces Officers to report for duty. 4. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND MORAL EVALUATION OF REGISTRANTS Registrants with low lottery numbers are ordered to report for a physical, mental, and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once he is notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement, or deferment. 5. LOCAL AND APPEAL BOARDS ACTIVATED AND INDUCTION NOTICES SENTLocal and Appeal Boards will process registrant claims. Those who pass the military evaluation will receive induction orders. An inductee will have 10 days to report to a local Military Entrance Processing Station for induction. 6. FIRST DRAFTEES ARE INDUCTED According to current plans, Selective Service must deliver the first inductees to the military within 193 days from the onset of a crisis. Last Draft In 1973, the draft ended and the U.S. converted to an all-volunteer military. According to the Selective Service System, "the registration requirement was suspended in April 1975. It was resumed again in 1980 by President Carter in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Registration continues today as a hedge against underestimating the number of servicemen needed in a future crisis."Future Draft?It would be prudent to say the US Military does not want a military draft, as motivated volunteers are much more desirable than reluctant conscripts. Currently, the US Military is meeting many if not all recruiting goals. Though the situation in Iraq has prompted some to decide against joining the military, there are many patriotic Americans who are deciding to contribute to the War on Terror. However, a military draft might be necessary if the US Military is drawn into a third front (Iraq, Afghanistan, and ?). For example, an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula would likely involve large numbers of American military personnel and a protracted situation could necessitate a draft. Additionally, a "limited" military draft might be necessary if the US Military has future recruiting difficulties. But this is unlikely since the military has recruiting inducements available, including enlistment bonuses, to fill recruiting shortcomings.
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Post by bruce on Feb 13, 2009 7:20:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the information,guys.I thought the draft was long gone.I thought it could be reinstated in an emergency only.Since I'm 64 I need not worry but I'm glad to have the info because I have grandsons(and daughters) near or in the age category.You learn something new every day!
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Post by daleescondido on Feb 13, 2009 8:57:42 GMT -5
I would just registar if I were in your shoes. If your opposed you will have to deal with it if draft is reinstated and if it includes you. I challenged some issues when young and was drafted May 69 into the marines. If you have to fight OK but maybe you dont. I won my battles but they sure gave me a hard time.
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Post by bruce on Feb 13, 2009 11:01:10 GMT -5
It may come as a surprise to many of you,but the military is appreciated and respected bu many in the black community,particularly those in the older age brackets.It was the original "equal opportunity" employer,from the 50s to up to perhaps the 80s.It gave an opportunity to many who had no resources to attend college a chance at a better life.While not perfect,it had a reputation of being far better than any other institution or employer.Serving in the army enabled my father to obtain a stable,reasonably well paying job with the VA Hospital,first in Bedford,MA and later in Phoenix.He worked there from '45 to '69 ,a time when there were few opportunities for a black man with just a highschool education.It's good to see the stimulus package includes benefits for vets and the wounded.
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Post by Jack on Feb 13, 2009 12:27:05 GMT -5
nybound, Just because you register for the draft doesn't mean there's going to be a draft and if there actually is a draft, it doesn't mean they're going to automatically draft you. They do have standards and don't just take anyone that's breathing. I got drafted and a few weeks later was notified that my draft order was canceled. The actually word they typed in the letter was "canacled", but I knew what they meant. I still joined the Navy and ended up in sunny San Diego. They never gave me a gun and never pointed me in the direction of Vietnam. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but keep an eye on Charles Rangel, he's the one that keeps pushing that pesky draft idea.
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Post by EscapeHatch on Feb 13, 2009 13:29:20 GMT -5
Bruce, hopefully no one is surprised. Colin Powell brought this country tremendous pride. The Tuskegee Airmen saved countless American lives in WWII. Man, did they know how to make a Mustang dance! Most notable among them was Benjamin Davis, Jr. who became the first black general in the Air Force. Carl M. Brashear passed away a few years ago. Cuba Gooding Jr. played him in "Men Of Honor". He was the first Navy salvage diver in spite of impossible odds. A US Navy ship, I believe a T-AKE, was named after him last year or the year before. The list is long, just as is military history.
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Post by Retired in CV on Feb 13, 2009 17:02:21 GMT -5
It may come as a surprise to many of you,but the military is appreciated and respected bu many in the black community,particularly those in the older age brackets.It was the original "equal opportunity" employer,from the 50s to up to perhaps the 80s.It gave an opportunity to many who had no resources to attend college a chance at a better life.While not perfect,it had a reputation of being far better than any other institution or employer. You are pretty correct about this. The only thing I question is "up to perhaps the 80's". The military had increased its race relation classes and put much more emphasis on equal opportunity during the 70's. They never slowed down or changed their emphasis, always stressing equal opportunities. What changed was during the 80's a lot of gang members started entering the military and they continued their gang activities. In the process, the gang activities brought in more hate and created an atmosphere of division between the races. Just like gang activity in the civilian world, the military had a hard time dealing with this and it did affect their race relation efforts. But the military itself never changed its attitude on equal opportunities. Hatch provided some nice successes.
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Post by bruce on Feb 13, 2009 19:51:11 GMT -5
Escape Hatch-I am totally overwhelmed that you know this.Very,very few people,white OR black,know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen.How proud a few surviving members must have been to attend Obama's inaugeration.And CV,I meant by up to the 80's the civilian world had begun to change with many more opportunities available.
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Post by Jack on Feb 13, 2009 21:11:11 GMT -5
Escape Hatch-I am totally overwhelmed that you know this.Very,very few people,white OR black,know anything about the Tuskegee Airmen.How proud a few surviving members must have been to attend Obama's inaugeration.And CV,I meant by up to the 80's the civilian world had begun to change with many more opportunities available. Bruce, I beg to differ, I would think that most guys my age certainly know the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. There was a great 1995 movie, "The Tuskegee Airmen" www.imdb.com/title/tt0114745/And the memorable line in that movie by Andre Braugher who played, Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis was when he said: "We weren't assigned. We were requested." There have also been numerous History Channel shows documenting this famous group of flyers, I just watched one the other day that told the story of their first ACE. Here's a great History Channel video titled: TUSKEGEE BLACK AMERICAN PILOTS DEFEAT NAZI JETS
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Post by tpfkalarry on Feb 13, 2009 22:12:21 GMT -5
Lets Be Honest, Like him or not, Rangel at least has the intestinal fortitude to call the draft what it is, and from his perspective it is racist. The numbers, at least the last time it was used, are not even close to representative of the population as a whole. Much like our legal system the haves have ways around the draft while the have nots typically serve. In some ways the draft would be a way to ensure that we consider our options and exhaust all peaceful approaches before we go to war. If the sons of politicians had the same odds of being drafted as the sons of say Flint Michigan, they would think twice. This of course doesn't apply to Hunter or Biden. I got a bit of a chill the day my son had to register.
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