Did you register with the Selective Service System (Draft) before you turned 26?

[OCNewbie]

I didn't, and never knew how important it was until yesterday. From what I can remember about "the draft" (as it was explained to me), if you didn't sign up, the only downside was that you couldn't vote until you did so. When I was younger, I never cared about voting, so I didn't bother. I'm 34 now, and wanted to apply to work with the National Park Service, and apparently I'm not eligible, and never will be.

If you're unsure if you ever registered, you can go HERE for a quick check.

Oh, and for those who are unaware. If you don't register before your 26th birthday, you are permanently ineligible for any financial aid, grants, loans, etc., for education, and you also can never hold any federal jobs, like at the post office, or for the national park service.

This article details how asinine the SSS is, or rather the penalties for not registering - Link

Edit: Problem solved!!! I had registered under the wrong SSN (off by one digit) that I had used for many years when I was younger. I made a call to the SSS after discovering this info, and it took them all of a few seconds to fix it! I am officially registered under my correct SSN!!! A few more details in Post #128

 

[Tweak155]

I never registered but received a note in the mail that I did almost immediately after I turned 18. How that happened, I will never know.

 

[OCNewbie]

I spoke to two of my friends, and both of them are registered, but have no recollection of doing so, and didn't even know what it was. Apparently they were registered by their parents. I guess my parents didn't know about it.

 

[Saint Nick]

I registered for the draft the day I turned 18 and did it online.

 

[Beev]

I registered when I was 18 just because I didn't want to deal with the headache. It's laughable to think I would ever respond to a draft of ANY kind, though.

 

[vi edit]

I remember going to the post office when I was 18 and doing it so that I could apply for federal student loans. Little white peice of paper about the size of a postcard.

 

[SP33Demon]

I did it but vaguely remember doing so. Amazing that the gov would hold something against you from your teenage years like that. Hell even a TS Clearance only goes back 12-15 years.

 

[Anubis]

yes,

the day i turned 18 the thing came in the mail. i registered online

 

[Capt Caveman]

When I turned 18, I went to the Post Office to register.

 

[rasczak]

When I turned 18, my dad filled out the form for me and had me sign. To this day I can't thank him enough.

 

[OCNewbie]

One thing I'm curious about, is that in Florida, where I live, there was a law passed in 2001 that required anyone who applied for a driver's license, or was going for a renewal, to be registered with the SSS. In 2003, when I was 25 (and still eligible to register), I obtained a new driver's license without issue. It seems that if that law had been functioning properly, I shouldn't have been given that license, and would have been made aware of what exactly the SSS was, and its importance. I'm certain I would have registered.

 

[waggy]

I did it within the first month of my 18th birthday.

 

[Nebbers]

Apparently I did but I don't remember doing so.

 

[GeekDrew]

IIRC, the high school I attended would give out the registration cards, and strongly encourage everyone to register, or provide evidence that they already had. I *think* that I registered online.... but I don't remember for sure what means I used to register. /me shrugs

 

[OCNewbie]

They may have talked about it when I was in high school. Unlike many students, my birthday was always in the summer, so I was 17 til about 2 months after graduating. So it wasn't immediately relevant to me, while I was in school.

 

[SearchMaster]

the thing came in the male

 

[Fritzo]

Yip. Mailed in a card when I turned 18. The card had everything bad that would happen if you didn't register - mainly in you can't hold any position or receive any benefits that use federal funding.

 

[Codewiz]

I don't remember doing it so I think my mom filled it out and probably just had me sign it.

 

[IGemini]

Registered the day I turned 18. I'm not too concerned about a draft and I needed financial aid. AFAIC, voluntary service is still a consideration so this may be a moot point anyway.

the day i turned 18 the thing came in the male.

...what you do in the bedroom with your card is your business.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yes, I registered within a month of turning 18. I was cleaning out my desk over the weekend and actually found the registration stub from 1988.

 

[OCNewbie]

My dad died when I was 20, so I can't ask him about it. I talked to my mom about it, and she didn't have a clue what it was. She's feeling guilty about it, but of course I can't blame her.

 

[polarmystery]

Apparently I did but I don't remember doing so.

This. Unsure when it happened. It was right before my 18th birthday.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I registered when I was 18 just because I didn't want to deal with the headache. It's laughable to think I would ever respond to a draft of ANY kind, though.

this

 

[Anubis]

yea the painkillers make my brain kinda fuzzy as well

 

[waggy]

Yes, I registered within a month of turning 18. I was cleaning out my desk over the weekend and actually found the registration stub from 1988.

I think you need to clean out your desk a little more often..