In case you aren't from the U.S. and are unfamiliar, the United States Government requires all me to registered for the armed services when they turn 18 years old. They must register before they are 26 (you can read more here (http://www.sss.gov/) on their site).

What is Selective Service registration?
Registration is a way our government keeps a list of names of men from which to draw in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of our Armed Forces. By registering all young men, the Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.

I was thinking about this today as I watched one of those Army commercials. So I started doing a little reading. Here's what I've found.

If you do not register, you could be prosecuted and fined up to $250,000 and/or be put in jail for up to five years. Registration is also a requirement to qualify for Federal student aid, job training benefits, and most Federal employment.

Men, born after December 31, 1959, who aren't registered with Selective Service won't qualify for Federal student loans or grant programs. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans.

If you did not register with Selective Service, and are now a man over age 25, you may be ineligible for certain Federal or state programs and benefits, including U.S. citizenship.

Disabled men, clergymen, and men who believe themselves to be conscientiously opposed to war must register because there is no draft in effect, nor is there a program to classify men at this time.

Individuals who are born female and have a sex change are not required to register. U.S. citizens or immigrants who are born male and have a sex change are still required to register.

This (http://www.sss.gov/wmbkgr.htm) is what stuck out for me. Women are not required to register. Yet, a man missing a leg or legally blind is required to register. And that females who are now males are not required but males that are now females are.

Anyhow, I was wondering how the men at VB here felt about this system. And how many men are registered or planning on registering. What about the women? Are you bothered by this at all? Would you register if required?

This reminds me of these pamphlets they had at a Unitarian Universalist church I used to go to. It was on pacifism, and if you are one, how important it is to document it and talk to people about it in case you need to prove it in the event of a draft. This might not keep you out of a war, but it could allow you to work in a helping area like medical care.

i registered so i can get financial aid for school.

:(

i'm registered, and i'm pretty sure i needed to prove i was so that i could get my college scholarship too. that said, if i ever did get drafted for the armed forces, i would rather go to jail than join.

I am registered because I needed college aid... and well it worked because my tuition was free. :D

If war ever came and I was drafted, I wouldn't fight. I would go as a medic probably.

Ruthie, I think that system is pretty fair. I do think that if males are required to register that it is only fair and modern for females to be required to register as well though.

Just because one is registered doesn't mean one will be drafted during a time of war, that's why I feel that it is fair that male's with sex changes register as well as people with disabilities and pacifists. It's across the board, no exceptions.

Once the draft started I'm sure they would start to make all sorts of objections. I wonder if they'd allow gay medics? :naughty:

I agree. I believe women should be registered too. I find it very 40's thinking to still have it be that women do not register.

This post got me seriously upset for some reason. Oy...
Anyway it's annoying how a man who had a sex change is still required to register. It sounds like something out of the 40's just like MsRuthieB said. Although I must say that if I were ever required to register I'd rather go to jail than fight.

I would register to get college aid as well.

I wouldn't go to war when drafted. The only exception would be if it was a war aimed directly at my country and all of my friends would go there. I'd go - preferably as a medic - but I'd probably try to miss intentionally.

Reminds me of this anecdote (I don't know where I heard it and I don't know if it's correct):

WW1, Oxford.

Older woman: Young man, why aren't you fighting for civilisation?

Student: Madam, I am civilisation.

registered and love my freedoms.... If duty called.... I would be there..

I don't think anyone should have to register and I really don't think females should have to. I can't speak for all women, but I couldn't handle being in the military.

registered and love my freedoms.... If duty called.... I would be there..

Yep. Though I think you and I are now off of the selective service list because of our age.

Personally, I find those who say they would prefer jail to fighting to be spineless cowards, who would deserve the horrors of the prison system as an additional punishment.

I created the poll and have thought about this on and off for most of the day. And I'm on the fence about whether I would or wouldn't. On one hand, I feel that I should assist my fellow person in protecting our country. On the other hand, I don't entirely agree when other countries are invaded. Maybe that's because I only know a part of the reasoning behind it and partially it's because I don't think I could kill a person simply because he/she lives in another country.

Personally, I find those who say they would prefer jail to fighting to be spineless cowards, who would deserve the horrors of the prison system as an additional punishment.

personally, i find it much easier to accept the drivel that spews forth from your mouth than the unnecessary violence and death that would be caused by my own two hands.

personally, i find it much easier to accept the drivel that spews forth from your mouth than the unnecessary violence and death that would be caused by my own two hands.

Good. Hopefully, we'll never have to draft. If so, I hope you find prison that easy to accept. Tossed salads, anyone?

Back on topic:

Why do some think women shouldn't register?

I think they should. Even if not placed into combat, they could serve in support functions and free up others for front line duty.

Good. Hopefully, we'll never have to draft. If so, I hope you find prison that easy to accept. Tossed salads, anyone?

and war is a walk in the park, right?

Back on topic:

Why do some think women shouldn't register?

I think they should. Even if not placed into combat, they could serve in support functions and free up others for front line duty.

i feel that both women and men should not be forced to reigster for the selective service. however, if men are forced to, i do believe that women should be as well.

then again, i don't expect the armed forces to become more tolerant of others (i.e. gays, women) anytime soon. even women that join the army willfully are subjected to all kinds of harrassment, and i don't think a women should be forced into that situation against her will. so.. i say selective service should be a choice for all.

I guess I was thinking of having to crawl through the mud and under barbed wire with a heavy backpack.

I guess I was thinking of having to crawl through the mud and under barbed wire with a heavy backpack.

You make that sound like a bad thing! :D

and war is a walk in the park, right?

Sometimes. Except when you attack a park. Then you might have to crawl through the park.



i feel that both women and men should not be forced to reigster for the selective service. however, if men are forced to, i do believe that women should be as well.

This isn't about feelings. It is about reality. If an emergency arose quickly, having a system to institute a draft quickly makes sense.
Hey, I have no problem with conscientious objectors/cowards. I don't see why anyone would put them in prison. Just drop them in the front lines. Any bullet they catch saves someone else.

You make that sound like a bad thing! :D

Nah.. it's a walk in the park. :p :D

I am a registered male who, in light of my current views, should have neglected to register as a form of political protest.

ebola

I dunno tame. A lot of CO's of my grandparets generation ended up serving in the merchant marine, the "Armed Forces" service that probably had the higest mortality during the war. Most serve in domestic or other non-combat roles. Actually, most of those historically who have been imprisoned have been Jehova's Witesses.

I dunno tame. A lot of CO's of my grandparets generation ended up serving in the merchant marine, the "Armed Forces" service that probably had the higest mortality during the war.
Like I said, they can stop a bullet as well as anyone.

Most serve in domestic or other non-combat roles.

See, it isn't their decision where to serve. I personally see few as COs, I see most as cowards.

I am a bad fighter...

Like I said, they can stop a bullet as well as anyone.

From my experiences talking with merchant marine veterans they tend to have more balls than you pretend to have with your phony pimp act. (Here is a hint, if ya gotta brag about it, ya don't got it.) They were the ones volunteering to run the North Atlantic gauntlet in poorly-armed antique steamers against an unseen enemy that knew where they were going before they did. They were the ones unloading tanks, airplanes, fuel and food while under attack from German bombers. I don't think that anyone who was not a part of that war has any ground to criticize their courage. In fact, I would say that anyone who would take potshots at them from the nice cozy, chair in front of the keyboard is demonstrating a ****load of cowardace.


See, it isn't their decision where to serve. I personally see few as COs, I see most as cowards.

Well, duh, that is one of the points of CO status. COs don't get a free pass out of wartime service. I will agree with you that many people seek to avoid the draft out of cowardace (although this is not limited to outsiders to military service.) However, most have served with distinction in roles that helped their country, and even on the battlefield.

>>We don't have a registration system here, but if someone were to invade my country, I'd be there with gun in hand willing to fight for my country immediately. >>

Its been a while since the US has faced invasion. Would you, in a heart-beat, enlist to aid a large invasion-effort on the part of your country?