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Information about Registering for Selective Service
CALC offers accurate and up to date information about registering for the Selective Service, a possible return of the Military Draft and how to prepare to present a Conscientious Objection Case. Information is available in Spanish on request.
El Programa de Consejería “Objeción Conciente al Reclutamiento Militar” de CALC (Alianza Comunitaria del Condado de Lane), ofrece información correcta y actualizada sobre el “Servicio Selectivo” y como prepararse para presentar un “Caso de Objecion Conciente”. Servicio Selectivo es la agencia federal que estará encargada de la administración del servicio militar obligatorio, pues hay una posibilidad de que sea restablecido nuevamente. Hay información en Español disponible, pero necesita ser pedida con anticipación.
Should the President decide a military draft is needed, Congress must first pass authorizing legislation. The language for a return of the draft is written and ready to go, which would have the first draftees in basic training within three to six months. For that reason CALC’s Draft and Conscientious Objection Program continues to offer help and information to individuals or groups.
Will there be a military draft soon? After a recent period of quiet on this matter (the local draft boards have not even met recently), we are hearing a bit more talk about the idea of national service for everyone (sometimes meaning also females), with a choice between military or civilian service.
While this idea has some supporters, in large measure it is a protest about the military burden falling on so few, of which so many are low income, rural &/or people of color. If a draft were to return, males who turn age 20 the first year of a draft are the most vulnerable ones, as they would be the first drafted under existing rules about how a draft would be carried out.
If any male is even considering a conscientious objection status should a draft return, he should seek accurate information and help well in advance as making the case takes a good bit of work and time. For more information, you can call CALC at 485-1755, extension 406, Draft and Military Counseling.
The Selective Service law requires all males at age 18 to register with the Selective Service; they must be registered in order to receive public money for college. The penalties in the law for failure to register are up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. No prosecutions have occurred since the early 1980’s, but should a draft return it is very likely that some males who have failed to register would be prosecuted.
Male immigrants who are in the US between the ages of 18 and 26, whether documented or not, must register with Selective Service or risk forever being denied citizenship, as they will have broken the law.
Check out these links for more information:
• The Conscientious Objection Check List is a brief summary of the steps and requirements involved in getting a CO status should a military draft return.
• Developing a Conscientious Objector File contains 15 suggestions, aimed particularly at teens, of things to do and document that would help make a CO case if needed.
• Selective Service Registration Basics contains the basic facts for all males about registering with the Selective Service and information on the special dangers of not registering for immigrant males.
• Important Information for All Males regarding selective service.
• Información Importantes para Todos Los Varones respecto a servicio selectivo.