News & Politics - US Preparing for Military Draft in 2005 - Page 4

GrhmLz · 04-26-2004, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pacifierrocks:
Ok, i know that men have to do that registering thing so that they can be drafted if the situation ever came, but i kinda skimmed over all the posts. so are women included on this?

i'm not really worried myself. i'm the right age, but as far as i know the wrong gender. but if women were being drafted too, i doubt i'd pass the physical. exercise induced asthma. but if it were to happen i would be annoyed. i don't really have a plan for where my life is going right now, but military never entered my mind.

This is what i wanted to know. I read that gender and higher education exclusions would be eliminated. What about the other exlusions that I know of? Will they still stand? I happen to be a very bad asthmatic myself and when a recruiter called me after high school, they told me I was automatically disqualified for this reason. Will certain medical exclusions still stand? And how about the exclusion for single parents? Or when a boy is the only son in the family to carry on the last name of the family? I know this is jumping the gun because nothing has happened yet but I was just curious to know.

Also, I was thinking about married parents and their children. What if both parents are between the ages of 18-26? Where are their children suppose to go if family members are unwilling to take on the responsibility? Will they only allow one of the two parents to go? I heard some small talk around school about this new draft. I just hadn't read the article nor did I know all the details.

mh67511 · 04-26-2004, 04:36 PM

From the text of the bill:

Quote:

SEC. 6. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS.

(a) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS- A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this Act postponed until the person--

(1) obtains a high school diploma;

(2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; or

(3) attains the age of 20.

(b) HARDSHIP AND DISABILITY- Deferments from national service under this Act may be made for--

(1) extreme hardship; or

(2) physical or mental disability.

They have to yet to define "extreme hardship" though, but I assume that would mean single parents or cases where both parents qualify for this service.

As far as medical reasons, it says it "may" disclude you, but I asusme it would have to be pretty severe to include you from both military AND civil service.

In addition, not everyone would be chosen for military service:

Quote:

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION.

(a) OBLIGATION FOR YOUNG PERSONS- It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 26 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this Act unless exempted under the provisions of this Act.

(b) FORM OF NATIONAL SERVICE- National service under this Act shall be performed either--

(1) as a member of an active or reverse component of the uniformed services; or

(2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and homeland security.

(c) INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS- The President shall provide for the induction of persons covered by subsection (a) to perform national service under this Act.

(d) SELECTION FOR MILITARY SERVICE- Based upon the needs of the uniformed services, the President shall--

(1) determine the number of persons covered by subsection (a) whose service is to be performed as a member of an active or reverse component of the uniformed services; and

(2) select the individuals among those persons who are to be inducted for military service under this Act.

(e) CIVILIAN SERVICE- Persons covered by subsection (a) who are not selected for military service under subsection (d) shall perform their national service obligation under this Act in a civilian capacity pursuant to subsection (b)(2).

Read more about the bill here: http://congress.org/congressorg/issu...=108&size=full

mh67511 · 04-26-2004, 04:38 PM

What this bill fails to mention is, how in the WORLD the government will pay to feed, house, train, tranport, etc. literally millions of young people. In addition, it fails to explain how they plan to pay for the benefits they provide us (I assume free state education).

In my opinion, this bill has not been clearly thought out. The cost of it...well I can't even begin to how much it would cost.

[ 04-26-2004: Message edited mh67511 ]

AlexEvans · 04-27-2004, 08:05 AM

So you could be drafted even if you're physically disabled, and then prevented from actually gaining military experience and training by doing some civilian make-work project? Seems like the worst of both worlds.

Of course, the current administration opposes this, and Kerry at least hasn't endorsed it. I'm not too worried. It's an outrageous idea, but at least it's an outrageous idea that isn't likely to be put into effect.

mh67511 · 04-27-2004, 08:34 PM

I think the people who created the bill didn't want it to be thought of as a "draft" per se, but rather a mandatory "service" that all young people would be required to do.

I think it's amazing the sheer amount of power that is given to the President! I fail to see why so much power is given to the president to set all these requirements and whatnot; you would think that congress would be responsible for that. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

Eddy · 04-30-2004, 03:02 AM

Quote:

For those who have turned 18 either this year or recently - don't you still have to register with the Selective Service even though there is not a draft? I assumed that was still the law

I'm 19 and I haven't done it. I'm lazy [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

I'll probably sign up for it sometime this year. Sometime.....

[ 04-30-2004: Message edited Eddy ]

AlexEvans · 04-30-2004, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mh67511:
I think the people who created the bill didn't want it to be thought of as a "draft" per se, but rather a mandatory "service" that all young people would be required to do.

I think it's amazing the sheer amount of power that is given to the President! I fail to see why so much power is given to the president to set all these requirements and whatnot; you would think that congress would be responsible for that. [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

Don't be confused, I think it's pretty simple. Congress wants the President to do its job. Abdication of Congressional responsibility to the President is something that has been going on for quite some time now.

Yes, registration with the Selective Service is compulsory, even if you don't live in the US (as long as you're a male citizen).

Strangely, although the government knows how old you are, your gender and where you live, it does not inform you that you have to register. I'm a bit annoyed that the consulate where I got my Report of Birth Abroad certificate didn't mention it. I only found out I had to register because it was mentioned in a news article I came across.

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mh67511 · 05-03-2004, 11:56 AM

That's weird. I got a card telling me to register around my 18th birthday. Also, when I filled out my FAFSA, I had to check if I had registered or not. You can't get federal aid if you don't register.

I just don't like the idea of all the important decisions being made by one person. What's so say their decisions are the best? I mean how is he supposed to delegate millions of young people to their positions?? Seem's like a lot of work for one person.

AlexEvans · 05-03-2004, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mh67511:
That's weird. I got a card telling me to register around my 18th birthday. Also, when I filled out my FAFSA, I had to check if I had registered or not. You can't get federal aid if you don't register.

I just don't like the idea of all the important decisions being made by one person. What's so say their decisions are the best? I mean how is he supposed to delegate millions of young people to their positions?? Seem's like a lot of work for one person.

Interesting... thanks for the info. I never got a card, and it wasn't mentioned when I got my SSN or anything.

Well there's an infrastructure to make the decisions... but still, I think Congress should include a few details when they legislate. But if they did that, how could they blame the President for everything they do they regret later?

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