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

[crashtestdummy]

I'm pretty distraught about this. I'm a 34 year-old school bus driver, and it's not hard to guess that this isn't what I want to do with my life. I have always struggled to find motivation to make something of myself, or even figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. I've always been in awe of the US National Parks, and after recently talking to someone that has worked with the NPS for the past 4 years, it just made sense that that would be perfect for me. Knowing that I would start at the bottom, and do the most menial tasks, at first, would be fine, and I'd be content with that. More than content in fact.

I don't want to go to war anymore than the next computer nerd does, but I never intentionally avoided signing up. In fact, who would do such a thing if they had a full understanding of how permanent the consequences are/were?

If something like this is mandatory, required by law, then why do they even make it seem like an option? Why isn't registration automatic? I read above where someone mentioned that they were automatically registered when they got their license. I know that I received at least 2 different licenses between the ages of 18 and 26, so why wasn't I registered then?

I was trying to think of an analogy earlier, and I came up with this:

It's like sending someone to hell for not asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins, when they only had a vague idea of who Jesus was, and certainly wasn't aware of the consequences of not doing so.

What about working for a state park system, the Appalachian Mountain Club (there's a shuttle driver position under "seasonal jobs"), the Sierra Club, a climbing gym, a guide service (whitewater rafting companies, for example, will often train you) or even an outfitter in a cool place. A lot of these won't be year-round jobs, and they don't get you a lot of money, but they'll get your foot in the door.

 

[KlokWyze]

I'm sure I did, but don't remember.

 

[marvdmartian]

I received a notice, at my parent's address, while I was out on my first deployment, on board the aircraft carrier. My mother called them up, and explained that I was active duty US Navy, and they said don't worry about it, military members were automatically entered into the system, just throw away the card.

Didn't even know my number until I went to apply for classes at a university, and had to know the number for their application. Had to call my local office, and find out what that number was!

 

[rivan]

Apparently I did, though I really don't recall doing so.

Looks like I was almost 19 by the time I did.

 

[xanis]

Registered about a month after my 18th birthday.

 

[OCNewbie]

What about working for a state park system, the Appalachian Mountain Club (there's a shuttle driver position under "seasonal jobs"), the Sierra Club, a climbing gym, a guide service (whitewater rafting companies, for example, will often train you) or even an outfitter in a cool place. A lot of these won't be year-round jobs, and they don't get you a lot of money, but they'll get your foot in the door.

Not being able to work for the NPS would rule out a LOT of the ones I most wanted to work for (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Zion, Arches, Sequoia, etc. x100). If there really isn't anything I can do, I suppose there probably are some state parks, hopefully out west somewhere, that have similar opportunities.

Thank you for the links. The Sierra Club one didn't work though.

Quote from the article I posted in the OP

In 1987, Congress enacted the ban on federal employment, with the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., calling men who failed to register "unpatriotic."

From seeing how many people in this thread admit that they have no recollection of ever registering (though are registered), doing so was clearly an action done with patriotic intent. Sucks that it seems that was the motivation behind enacting that ban. Certainly very patriotic of those that got auto-registered (like it probably should have always been) by getting a driver's license.

Apparently the fact that I love this country, and want to work for, and help preserve the amazing national parks is a clear indicator of my lack of patriotism.

 

[GoSharks]

Not being able to work for the NPS would rule out a LOT of the ones I most wanted to work for (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Zion, Arches, Sequoia, etc. x100). If there really isn't anything I can do, I suppose there probably are some state parks, hopefully out west somewhere, that have similar opportunities.

Thank you for the links. The Sierra Club one didn't work though.

Quote from the article I posted in the OP


From seeing how many people in this thread admit that they have no recollection of ever registering (though are registered), doing so was clearly an action done with patriotic intent. Sucks that it seems that was the motivation behind enacting that ban. Certainly very patriotic of those that got auto-registered (like it probably should have always been) by getting a driver's license.

Apparently the fact that I love this country, and want to work for, and help preserve the amazing national parks is a clear indicator of my lack of patriotism.

What about being employed by a concessionaire? Delaware North runs all the concessions at Yosemite.

 

[OCNewbie]

What about being employed by a concessionaire? Delaware North runs all the concessions at Yosemite.

That might work. I mean... if I can support myself on it. I'm single, no kids, not married, so I don't really need a huge salary anyway, but I still need to live. I wasn't aware that other private? companies had employees within the NPS.

There's a lot of information I'm not aware of, like what you've just told me, so hopefully I will continue to find appealing alternatives if my chances to work with the NPS are truly gone.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Different times and places...
My HS registered our entire graduating class.

 

[Doppel]

Yeah I'm in there. I do recall at some point in my life being acutely aware, despite being quite surprised at it and hardly believing, that I really needed to do it or else it could bite me later.

I feel bad for OP. This thread may end up helping others. It's not fair to deny somebody over what they may not have known, especially since when he was of a qualifying age there was damn near no chance of a draft happening anyway.

There should be a way to pay a penalty and have it expunged, at least if there is no draft. He obviously didn't draft dodge because there wasn't one. I know why they have the law but it just seems crazy to reject somebody for so many years because of missing it.

 

[Raduque]

I was registered when I enlisted.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Yep, several days after my 18th birthday.

 

[herm0016]

i did it at the post office too. I think it is a fine thing to do, If the country felt it needed my services, I would join.

 

[arcenite]

Apparently I registered 2 weeks before my 18th birthday :hmm:

But yeah, if you don't register you're asking for trouble!

Edit: For you whiney bitches that think they can use my post as a 'see he doesn't remember signing up either!'. Well, that's false. I remember signing up quite well. And I made sure to do it as soon as I could. If you didn't know the consequences of not signing up then you didn't want to know.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Not being able to work for the NPS would rule out a LOT of the ones I most wanted to work for (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Zion, Arches, Sequoia, etc. x100). If there really isn't anything I can do, I suppose there probably are some state parks, hopefully out west somewhere, that have similar opportunities.

Two thoughts:

1) Not everyone working in those areas is affiliated with the NPS. In particular, their are commercial guides and outfitters surrounding every park.

To give you an idea of what can be done in a guide services, a couple of my friends worked as guides up in Skagway. While they had extensive climbing experience, many others there had never even climbed before, but simply had a passion for the outdoors. The program taught them the rest.

2) There are a number of incredibly beautiful places in this country that are state parks. I live in the Northeast, but an idea of a few of them out here:

Baxter
Mt. Washington
Adirondack Park
Monadnock (they always need people)

Don't take my word for it, though. Pick a state you want to move to. Guaranteed you'll find some beautiful places to work, in some form or another.

Also, you could always move to Canadia. They have some awesome parks too.

 

[OCNewbie]

Also, you could always move to Canadia. They have some awesome parks too.

And Banff, and I suppose Glacier is partially in Canada too? I'd totally be in Grizzly territory up there. Yikes! I guess it is indeed something to consider, if it came down to it =) Thanks again for the info and links! I'm full of passion/desire to pursue those areas, but quite empty when it comes to knowledge of my options.

 

[herm0016]

Yellowstone is run by http://www.xanterra.com/ My feonce worked there for 3 years and loved it. She went for cleaning rooms to running housekeeping for entire locations, a huge job to be sure. It's a great opportunity to move into management quickly because of the turnover and pay is pretty good once you get off the bottom level.

Grand Teton is run by http://www.gtlc.com/

They all love people with CDL's to drive buses too. Katie drove for park city transit for a winter season also.

every park has a concessionaire that handles nearly ever aspect of the park except for wildlife and roads. They have very specific direction from NPS.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yes, I did register. And I would have served if called during Operation Desert Storm.

Selective Service Number:
xx-xxxxxxx-x
Date of Registration
6/14/1985

 

[FreshCrabLegs]

edited

 

[MovingTarget]

I registered online shortly after turning 18. You'd be very shortsighted not to. I'm past the age now, so I'd be screwed if I hadn't signed up...

 

[Cattlegod]

Voted no, but when I checked the link I registered 3 weeks after my 18 th in 99

 

[Atty]

I apparently did the month before my 18th too. Don't remember. What does this mean?

 

[OCNewbie]

It's funny how much luck seemed to be involved with so many registrations.

 

[Baked]

I have no idea what happened between my 18th and 25th birthday. I'm drawing a total blank.

 

[Leros]

I had to go the DMV on my 18th birthday to get my license renewed. They had SS forms there as well.