Foo - What EXACTLY are you agreeing to by sigining the Selective Service form?

I was just talking with my wife and realized that I have no idea what one agrees to when they sign a Selective Service form. As I recollect, the form asks for your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. There is nothing on the form to indicate what you are signing up for. Does anyone know?

Here's a link to the form online: http://www.sss.gov/regver/register1.asp

Here's what the paper link that us old folks remember looks like: http://www.sss.gov/Inforegstr-04/images/Formsm.jpg

Basicaly you are agreeing to, in the event of of the institution of a draft, allowing the US government to own you life and soul and to send you corporeal body anywhere on this earth (or otherworld) they see fit to have you kill other people and have them try to kill you.


http://www4.sss.gov/seq.htm

I think I ate mine...

I think I ate mine...

five years in the slammer for you then :eek:

Basicaly you are agreeing to, in the event of of the institution of a draft, allowing the US government to own you life and soul and to send you corporeal body anywhere on this earth (or otherworld) they see fit to have you kill other people and have them try to kill you.


http://www4.sss.gov/seq.htm
+1

Basicaly you are agreeing to, in the event of of the institution of a draft, allowing the US government to own you life and soul and to send you corporeal body anywhere on this earth (or otherworld) they see fit to have you kill other people and have them try to kill you.


http://www4.sss.gov/seq.htm
I've read that before, but it doesn't tell you what exactly you are agreeing to. At the time I turned 18 I tried to figure this out as well, to no avail.

My wife asked me about it this morning and I realized that I have no idea what rights one is giving away by signing this blank document.

I've read that before, but it doesn't tell you what exactly you are agreeing to. At the time I turned 18 I tried to figure this out as well, to no avail.

My wife asked me about it this morning and I realized that I have no idea what rights one is giving away by signing this blank document.
Ohhhhh.....Ok, I see where you are going with this now. You might want to try this (http://www.screenselect.co.uk/visitor/product_detail.html?product_id=1127) guy for an answer.

My wife asked me about it this morning and I realized that I have no idea what rights one is giving away by signing this blank document.

It seems that it may be more a matter of what rights you retain by registering. Like your freedom, your property, your money...

I never understood the "point" of the selective service anyway. It's "against the law" not to sign.....so why do they make you sign anyway? What's so "selective" about it? If they draft, then just come and get the kids you want to kill.....you are doing that anyway.

The point, as I understand it, is fairness. If and when the gov't institutes a draft, those that have registered with selective service will be the group from which those drafted will be selected. Those that fail to register will, of course, not be on the list. They may face prosecution. By not registering, the odds of being drafted go up for those that did register. Not fair, eh?

Ohhhhh.....Ok, I see where you are going with this now. You might want to try this (http://www.screenselect.co.uk/visitor/product_detail.html?product_id=1127) guy for an answer.
Why are you being condescending and sarcastic? It's both unnesessary and insulting.

My recollection is that registration was reinstituted to facilitate administration of a draft. Big issues at the time were 1) if you didn't register, you were ineligible for student loans and 2) there wasn't a process for declaring conscientious objecter status. Also, since every male had to do it, it was clear that there would be no student deferments.

Carter reinstated draft registration. Basically, only Democrats call for use of the draft now, and that's simply a ploy to reduce support for mililary operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Given the size of our volunteer army, the odds of getting drafted are pretty damn low.

Actually the selective service law does not apply to everyone, only US citizens, but NOT US nationals, there is a big difference that most folks dont ever even learn about. Our schools very conveniently do NOT include this in their curriculums, imagine that.

Actually the selective service law does not apply to everyone, only US citizens, but NOT US nationals, there is a big difference that most folks dont ever even learn about. Our schools very conveniently do NOT include this in their curriculums, imagine that.
Your information is incorrect. Most male residents of the USA are required to register, be they citizens, legal immigrants, or illegal immigrants.

http://www4.sss.gov/FSwho.htm

WHO MUST REGISTER

Almost all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It's important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military. In a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called in sequence determined by random lottery number and year of birth. Then, they would be examined for mental, physical and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces.

A chart of who must register is also available.

NON-CITIZENS
Some non-citizens are required to register. Others are not. Noncitizens who are not required to register with Selective Service include men who are in the U.S. on student or visitor visas, and men who are part of a diplomatic or trade mission and their families. Almost all other male noncitizens are required to register, including illegal aliens, legal permanent residents, and refugees. The general rule is that if a male noncitizen takes up residency in the U.S. before his 26th birthday, he must register with Selective Service. For a more detailed list of which non-citizens must register, see Who Must Register - Chart .

I'm not sure that there is any actual "agreement" involved in signing, other than a compliance or non-compliance with the laws pertaining specifically to registration. Should an actual draft be implemented, all registered individuals still have the descretion to "agree" or "disagree" after having considered the possible consequences. [edit]

I just read that Carter reinstated the draft as a F.U. to the Soviets. We (draft eligible males) weren't concerned about the Soviets. It was a free trip to the jungles of Latin America that had my friends concerned.

There actually is a process for declaring conscientious objector status. It's extremely complicated and takes a good amount of time. Just another way they try to **** you over. Try searching for the process online. I used to have a link for it, but the site it was on is no longer around.

you can always go into the millitary and become considered nuts by them... they won't want you ever again.

you can always go into the millitary and become considered nuts by them... they won't want you ever again.

Take a medical discharge, and have health insurance for life?

I've read that before, but it doesn't tell you what exactly you are agreeing to. At the time I turned 18 I tried to figure this out as well, to no avail.

My wife asked me about it this morning and I realized that I have no idea what rights one is giving away by signing this blank document.

You bring up an interesting point. I didn't really question what was implied by signing the selective service form when I was 18 beyond the fact that I could be drafted. If the nation found itself in a situation where a draft was necessary, I would, and still am willing to go do my part.

As far as what rights you are giving up, nothing really, since registering with the selective service is required condition of citizenship in the US (for us gentlemen, that is). I know it can be discussed much more deeply than that and there's plenty of surrounding questions, but this could be a very long discussion if we went into those in detail.

Take a medical discharge, and have health insurance for life?


that's and even better idea...

- i still have my draft card... registered in Cherry Hill, NJ... i was #222 during the Vietnam War... my lottery draw is detailed here in the Selective Service table. (http://www.sss.gov/lotter4.htm)

- i was 1-H during the war, but enlisted upon graduation from college and ended up doing 20 years... i tried to register IV-W, but my recruiter looked at me and said, "Shut up, puke, i'm not doing all the extra paperwork - just sign the papers."

- so i did...

:-)

There actually is a process for declaring conscientious objector status. It's extremely complicated and takes a good amount of time. Just another way they try to **** you over. Try searching for the process online. I used to have a link for it, but the site it was on is no longer around.
Way back when I registered, I picked up two forms from the Post Office, wrote "I Am A Conscientious Objector" on both of them, then had a willing teacher from my HS meet me down there to witness me signing both. He then signed the one I kept, with a note added that he witnessed me signing the copy which was submitted, and that the submitted copy was identical to the one I retained.

I don't know if it would have held up had I been drafted, but it's a moot point anyway, since I'm well above draft age. I also didn't bother ever reporting my current address between the ages of 18 & 25, as required.

Basicaly you are agreeing to, in the event of of the institution of a draft, allowing the US government to own you life and soul and to send you corporeal body anywhere on this earth (or otherworld) they see fit to have you kill other people and have them try to kill you.


http://www4.sss.gov/seq.htm

As opposed to, in the event of the requirement for a draft, being owned by the state that would otherwise be able to waltz over us and revoke all your rights... like the one where you can make the above statements without fear of retribution to you or your family.

I believe your signature just certifies the information is correct and that you signed the form. The law covers all the obligations, requirements and penalties regardless of your "consent" as indicated by any signature.

As opposed to, in the event of the requirement for a draft, being owned by the state that would otherwise be able to waltz over us and revoke all your rights... like the one where you can make the above statements without fear of retribution to you or your family.

Interesting, the closest any foreign country ever came to this occured almost 100 years ago, 1812 to be exact, or were you talking about our current political regiem?

I wholy believe that if Iraqi forces were to don our shores and attemped to 'waltz all over us', the armed citizenry (thank you second ammendment) would show up in numbers far greater than the draft could ever hope to elicit.

FYI ~ I've done my time with Uncle Sam and have an Honorable Discharge to show for it. You?

Interesting, the closest any foreign country ever came to this occured almost 100 years ago, 1812 to be exact, or were you talking about our current political regiem?

I wholy believe that if Iraqi forces were to don our shores and attemped to 'waltz all over us', the armed citizenry (thank you second ammendment) would show up in numbers far greater than the draft could ever hope to elicit.

FYI ~ I've done my time with Uncle Sam and have an Honorable Discharge to show for it. You?

While I agree with you that Iraqi forces never had the capability to show up on our shores, it's been far less than 100 years since we were directly threatened on our own soil by a force capable of following through. Pearl Harbor was in 1941... and while it wasn't the precursor for an invasion it certainly could have been. Japanese naval forces also approached the west coast of the US during WWII. Other countries have had the capability and possibly the desire in the recent past that only our standing forces deterred. And there is the possiblitiy in the near future of at least one, possibly two powers emerging that could directly threaten us, though personally, I can't see either of them taking that risk for a multitude of reasons.

Me? Currently on Active Duty... 19 years. 2 cruises, 1 overseas deployment, over 2500 flight hours, 23 combat missions in Desert Storm, another handful in Northern Watch etc etc etc.

Currently on Active Duty... 19 years. 2 cruises, 1 overseas deployment, over 2500 flight hours, 23 combat missions in Desert Storm, another handful in Northern Watch etc etc etc.
Thats great! Thanks. I hope you don't get hosed on your bennies like so many guy I know have.

While I agree with you that Iraqi forces never had the capability to show up on our shores, it's been far less than 100 years since we were directly threatened on our own soil by a force capable of following through. Pearl Harbor was in 1941... and while it wasn't the precursor for an invasion it certainly could have been. Japanese naval forces also approached the west coast of the US during WWII. Other countries have had the capability and possibly the desire in the recent past that only our standing forces deterred. And there is the possiblitiy in the near future of at least one, possibly two powers emerging that could directly threaten us, though personally, I can't see either of them taking that risk for a multitude of reasons.

Me? Currently on Active Duty... 19 years. 2 cruises, 1 overseas deployment, over 2500 flight hours, 23 combat missions in Desert Storm, another handful in Northern Watch etc etc etc.

So then, are you a naval aviator? My respect to you.

I want to add that beyond the fact that Japan was a threat to our soil, albeit only superficially aside from Pearl Harbor and after Midway, there was a general feeling that the other countries we were allied with deserved our help defending their own borders from unjust agression, and that it was worth the sacrifice we made on their behalf. Furthermore, even had we not bothered to take a hardline stance against Japan for their actions in China and been very active supporting the British with supplies, thus leading to the Axis countries declaring war on us, WWII would still almost certainly have grown to include us eventually.

While I agree with you that Iraqi forces never had the capability to show up on our shores, it's been far less than 100 years since we were directly threatened on our own soil by a force capable of following through. Pearl Harbor was in 1941... and while it wasn't the precursor for an invasion it certainly could have been. Japanese naval forces also approached the west coast of the US during WWII. Other countries have had the capability and possibly the desire in the recent past that only our standing forces deterred. And there is the possiblitiy in the near future of at least one, possibly two powers emerging that could directly threaten us, though personally, I can't see either of them taking that risk for a multitude of reasons.

Me? Currently on Active Duty... 19 years. 2 cruises, 1 overseas deployment, over 2500 flight hours, 23 combat missions in Desert Storm, another handful in Northern Watch etc etc etc.

Pearl Harbour was but a fly in the kitchen compared to 1812. You're making mountians out of molehills

It means that the Psychpathic Personalities in charge are legally justified in giving you the opportunity to stop ballistic lead on behalf of DuPont, Raytheon, or Mobil. Good health plan, tho'.

Oh, Oh. . .NSA is sure to see this!

Anyway back to the whole selective service thing. I think it is fairand just in how they do it, because everyone who is registered is registred into soemwhat of a lottery. That we we all have equally ****ty chances of getting picked. What i dont understand is when i joined the Army 2 years ago why they needed that number....not like i was being drafted they sent me to war why did they need taht number I wonder.

Anyway back to the whole selective service thing. I think it is fairand just in how they do it, because everyone who is registered is registred into soemwhat of a lottery. That we we all have equally ****ty chances of getting picked. What i dont understand is when i joined the Army 2 years ago why they needed that number....not like i was being drafted they sent me to war why did they need taht number I wonder.

I don't know, but maybe it was to document that you had served / were serving and therefore ineligible for the draft.

I don't know, but maybe it was to document that you had served / were serving and therefore ineligible for the draft.

Or perhaps it's to deny you service if you didn't register. Why would the Army hire you and give you a job if you didn't register?

Could also be to check that you hadn't broken the law; again for job purposes and perhaps enforcement.

I think I threw my card away...I was already in the Army(joined at 17). Nobody ever had a problem with it(that I know of).

I think I threw my card away...I was already in the Army(joined at 17). Nobody ever had a problem with it(that I know of).

Yeah, if you're already in the service you don't need to fill out the card. I was in at 18, and never filled it out.