What is the difference between the draft and the selective service system?

[Antoneo]

Is the draft conducted by the selective system? Are there different forms of drafting?

 

[Amused]

<< Is the draft conducted by the selective system? >>



Yes.

 

[gopunk]

afaik, you're required to sign up for selective service. then if there is ever a draft, that's where they get their info on you.

 

[bozo1]

Selective Service administration was invented in the early 80's to carry out the task of identifying and keeping track of eligible people in case of a national emergency that would require the reinstituting of a draft system. They also will be the agency that handles that if needed. Nixon got rid of the draft in 1974 but a few years later congress realized that it would take to long to identify draft eligible people in case they had to bring it back.

 

[Antoneo]

<< afaik, you're required to sign up for selective service. then if there is ever a draft, that's where they get their info on you. >>


Oh this happens when I turn 18 right? If I am a college student, will I be exempt from the drafting process? What is the age when you are not longer able to be drafted?
Oh I'm not looking to avoid the draft, just wondering about it.

 

[bozo1]

There is no draft. You have to register with selective service when you are 18 and are supposed to keep them informed of your current address. Guidelines for who gets drafted and who doesn't will depend on the number of people needed if/when a draft is instituted. And no, college students are not except. (They used to be lower on the list but they did away with that.)

 

[ZAQ3211]

It was MANDATORY in 1956 for ALL males to register with the SSA within 30 days after turning 18yrs of age. I suspect it was in place during WW II, if not soon thereafter.
The draft is one means to fulfill military manpower requirements.

ZAQ

 

[bozo1]

Check out this thread and read the last message. That's the system they are going to use if that dreaded day ever comes.

 

[dullard]

<< What is the age when you are not longer able to be drafted? >>



You must keep them informed of your current address from the time you turn 18 until the time you turn 26. Thus on your 26th birthday you are free from a possible draft. Of course if they wish, they can always change that to a different age... so you can never be completely worry free.

With the current situation, we need highly trained men and women to run the complicated war machinery. Someone who simply gets drafted will be of no use, without lengthy training. Thus I feel the draft will never be used again. Plus a large army of people who don't want to be there is less effective and more expensive than a smaller army of dedicated individuals. Another reason the draft probably will never be used again.

 

[DAM]

bozo: thanks for the link



dam()

 

[Antoneo]

Thanks guys, cleared up a lot of confusion.

 

[b0mbrman]

The Selective Service will be used if a draft comes about but we'll be in pretty deep sh*t before they start asking for you.

There's 1.5 million of us in the Army right now. Add the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard and you've got near 5 mil with 3 mil being reserves.