Hillarys Army.

Meat-Hook

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May 18, 2000 - 03:39 AM

Nearly One in Five Young Men Fail to Register for
the Draft
By Lawrence L. Knutson
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Nearly one in five young American men are failing
to register for the military draft as required by law, risking fines and
jail as well as ineligibility for a wide array of benefits including
student loans and government jobs, the Selective Service
Administration says.

In making the that announcement Wednesday, agency officials
said ignorance rather than willful resistance appears to be behind
the compliance numbers, which were at 93 percent a decade ago.
"Since 1990 we have seen an erosion of about 1 percent a year,"
said agency spokesman Lewis Brodsky.

"Our research has consistently shown that the biggest barrier to
young men's compliance is a simple lack of awareness," said
Selective Service Director Gil Coronado. "It's tragic to see young
men potentially missing out on future opportunities because they
just do not know they are required to register."

"The consequences of not registering for whatever reasons, are
enormous," said Education Secretary Richard Riley, who joined
Coronado at a news conference where they announced the
formation of partnerships with educational associations to get the
word out to young men.

For men born in 1980 who are now 19 and 20 years old, the
compliance rate is about 83 percent, Brodsky said.

A state-by-state survey issued by the agency showed some large
states had low registration levels among those men - California
with 79 percent and Texas, 77 percent. New Hampshire, by
contrast, ranked highest with 95 percent.

The law requires that all young men living inside the United States
and its territories register with the Selective Service within 30 days
of their 18th birthday. That includes immigrants and non-citizen
residents of the United States.

The names are gathered in case a national emergency should
require a military draft. Selective Service officials and members of
Congress at the news conference called the system an important
national "insurance policy." They said the all-volunteer enlistment
policy of the armed services is working as intended in peacetime.
The last actual draft was in 1973 near the end of the Vietnam era.

Failure to register can cost young men their chance at student
loans and grants, job training, government jobs and citizenship for
male immigrants.

It is also a felony punishable by up to five years in jail or prison
and a fine of up to $250,000, but such cases are rarely
prosecuted. The last prosecution was in 1985, agency officials
said.

"To make sure that any draft is as fair and as equitable as
possible, we've got to make sure we reach everyone," Brodsky
said. "And it's difficult to know who you're not reaching."

"But we suspect, based on the demographics we've seen, that it's
high school dropouts and immigrants" who are not registering.
Brodsky said the agency is working with the Immigration and
Naturalization Service as well as schools to try to get more
immigrants to register.

The Selective Service survey showed that the states with the
lowest compliance rates for men born in 1980 - all of them under
80 percent - are California, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and
South Carolina, all with a 79 percent rate; Texas, 77 percent;
Louisiana, 74 percent, and Hawaii, 73 percent.

The states with the best compliance - all of them 90 percent or
better - are New Hampshire, 95 percent; Maine and North Dakota,
93 percent; Iowa and Nebraska, 91 percent, and Minnesota, 90
percent.

Brodsky said there are now 13.5 million men in the Selective
Service data base whose ages range from 18 to 25. Men 26 and
older are not eligible for the draft. An estimated 1.6 million men
age 18 to 25 have not complied with the law, he said.

---

On the Net: To register on-line www.sss.gov

AP-ES-05-18-00 0339EDT
© Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Brought to you by the Tampa Bay Online Network
 
"It's tragic to see young
men potentially missing out on future opportunities because they
just do not know they are required to register."

Someone thinks too highly of theer Agency...
I have never been asked about my SS Registration on Student Loans or government jobs or anything.
Well, I was already in the Service at age 17 so maybe that has something to do with it...

Anyone here ever have to answer to the SS registration?
 
I did once. I was enrolling in my local community college after being honorably discharged from the USMC after 8 yrs of service.

The application required I provide my Selective Service No. Didn't matter that I not only had one, but two DD-214s.



------------------
Dan

Si vis pacem para bellum!

Check me out at:
<A HREF="http://www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm" TARGET=_blank>

www.mindspring.com/~susdan/interest.htm</A>
 
I'm puzzled as to why this is posted under the title "Hillary's Army", considering that women are not expected to register for the draft, and are not subject to imprisonment and fines. I'm sure that in the interest of equality, Hillary and her merry band of feminists will make it a top priority that women have to take the same risk of death that men are required to take (even if that risk is admittedly low -- at the moment).

Probably the Selective Service is ripe for a sexual harrassment lawsuit, judging by their gross inequality of treatment based solely on sex.

(yes, I'm being sarcastic)
 
You know, it's kind of strange - when I turned 18 in 1986, I was proud to go register. It was important to me to be available if my country needed me.
I wouldn't feel the same way now.

Moonshadow, you might have a real point. Why are women exempt from registration and any potential draft? Do they not have the same priveledges and responsibility of citizenship as men? I'm against women in combat, but these days, there are about 10 support troops for every combat soldier.
Just a thought; flame away.
 
Dave -

I feel the opposite way. I registered in 1984 because it was the law, but I was in college, and was planning on puruing a civilian career. Military service was way down on the list of my priorities at the time.

I'd be more willing to go now, even though I'm 15 years older and 50 pounds fatter, simply because not having served, I don't feel fully qualified to be disgusted by Bill Clinton. I sometimes feel guilty for not having served, seeing how contemptible Clinton is.
 
I think it is a moot point anymore. If TSHTF, it will be too late, by time the call-up is done, recruits are trained, and sent to the front.

And its a shame, that these poor souls aren't registering, and are being screwed out of federal grants and other benefits. God forbid that you actually sign up because its your duty as a citizen.

We rely upon the Guard/Reserves to back up the active duty Army. And that is scary. Our unit trained reserve and guard units for Desert Storm. Part-time soldiers need at least 4-6 months to get back into the swing of military duty.

I served 2.5 yrs in the Reserves, then went on active duty. Infantry-Berlin Brigade (2 tours) Yugoslavia (1 tour with UN). Learned a lot, saw alot, grew up alot.
 
I was on active duty in 82, when I came home on leave I was informed by the Postmaster in my hometown I had to register. I thought what the HEY, might as well, what are they gonna do? Bend my ID tags and send me to the 82nd Airborne!
 
As the article states, I think it's simply ignorance.
When my son turned 18, I reminded him to register. That was the first time he ever heard of having to do it. I inquired among his friends and got the same response. No one in any position of authority at school ever mentioned this obligation to them.
I took care of them via the internet. You can register at Selective Service's web site.
Too bad you can't enlist them that easily! ;)
 
The day I turned 18, I was in college in Philadelphia. 3 days later I registered. About 7 months later I enlisted in the USN (it turned out that Drexel wasn't for me, they raisede the tuition 47%, and my parents were already strapped). They say each age grouping has its little "emergency"- I spent a little over 4 months in Gitmo during the missle crisis as part of the blockade. Actually, it was pretty easy duty, but those of us there never found out until much later how close we had come to war. But, I DID VOLUNTEER ! crankshaft
 
Back in 79'
I literaly 'Flew' down to the post office like a 'shot'.
I don't think my feet ever touched the ground on the way.

I boldly and quite loudly anounced why I was there. Then stated, "I would like to have my card so I could fill it out."

When I returned home, I marched into the house up to my fathers desk(He worked from the home) and told him I was now registered for Selective Service.

He took the rest of the afternoon off, and decided to take his now grown son's out for the rest of the day.

I realise now that for a man who was forced to flee Germany just before the WAR broke out....and never could serve as a regular soldier himself.
He "That day", was very proud of his twin sons who just turned 18.

WOLF
 
Registered for the draft in "63, was told to report to my draft board in February "68. However, I was involved in a holiday celebration (TET), so I couldn't make it................

------------------
When they try to take away my 2nd Amendment rights, tell them Hell's comin' and I'm comin' with it! Armed and Dangerous
 
I don't remember how I heard about the SS sign-up, but I did it on or about my 18th. As far as why it is a mystery to so many of the age today, I don't get it. I listen to several radio stations, some of which younger folks listen to, and I hear commercials a few times a month. Is it selective hearing (no pun intended)?
 
Never did it, but I turned 18 in boot camp. I am now pushing 30 pretty hard, and have yet to come across a form asking for an SS number.
Eric


------------------
Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
 
In 1951 I received a letter (forwarded to me by my father)from the SS Board stating that if I did not register for the draft immediately the Sheriff would come and get me.

I sent the draft board a letter and told them that I would be happy to come in and register if they would write to my Commanding Officer and arrange a leave for me and I signed the letter with my Name, Rank and Serial Number. I can't understand why I never heard from them again. :)



[This message has been edited by DorGunR (edited May 19, 2000).]
 
They were serious about this in the '80s. My sister's first name is Billy, and the SS threatened to prosecute and/or cut off student aid if "Billy" didn't register. Took a while for them to figure out that she was female. (It's my sister so no jokes on that one).

I never had a problem. Of course, when I turned 18, I proudly registered and displayed my card. I USED to be proud to be an American. Not since November, 1992 though.
 
May 20, 2000 - 08:52 PM

West Point Cadets Face Court Martial for Break-In
The Associated Press

WEST POINT, N.Y.(AP) - The U.S. Military Academy's first
general courts-martial for theft in recent memory have been
ordered for two cadets charged with felonies in the December
break-in at West Point's cadet store.

Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman ordered the courts-martial after
reviewing the evidence and charges against cadets William Bender
and John B. Taylor IV, academy spokesman Maj. James Whaley
said Friday.

Both Bender and Taylor are charged in the theft of $23,000 worth
of clothing, watches and electronic equipment from the store.

Bender admitted his part in a May 8 grand-jury type hearing,
arguing that he was mentally ill and was not able to assist in his
own defense because he suffers from deep anxiety and
depression.

A general court-martial is the top military court for crimes. Both
men face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and dismissal
from the service. They also face having to pay the government for
their West Point educations.

Trial for Taylor is set for June 2. A date has yet to be scheduled for
Bender.

AP-ES-05-20-00 2052EDT
© Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Brought to you by the Tampa Bay Online Network
 
DorGunR ...

Back in '49 I was a kid with Navy on my mind, so I got in. You know the socio-political climate at the time - long about late 1951 good old SSS "suggested" that I drop by. Like you, I told them I was a bit busy - like on a six month Med cruise. (Mediteranean Sea for those who don't know the jargon). I also never heard another word (please forgive the rhyming there).

As I understand it, there are "local boards (or individuals)" responsible for "recruiting". I guess they pass info up to WASHDC about who's eligible. But, as far as I remember, (about 2-1/2 inches of memory), we didn't register in the early fifties. If that's so, then the locals must have provided the data.

AB - USN Ret.
Be careful out there.
 
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