Military Service

The Selective Service is a government agency whose job is to provide untrained manpower for the Armed Forces if there’s a national emergency.

By registering, you add your name to a list of all the men in the nation, ages 18 through 25. The list would be used to identify men for possible military service in case of a national emergency.

There hasn’t been a draft since 1973. If there were an emergency sufficient for
congress to order another draft, Selective Service would conduct a birthdate lottery to decide the order in which to call men. Those who turn 20 during that calendar year would be called first in a sequence determined by the lottery. If more men were needed, those 21 to 25 would be called, youngest first.

The law says that all 18-year-old men (including U.S. citizens living abroad and non-citizen immigrant males 18-25 residing in the U.S.) must register. The only young men exempt from registration are non-citizen males who are in the U.S. temporarily as tourists, diplomats and their family members or foreign exchange students; incarcerated or institutionalized men; men on active duty in the Armed Forces; and students at U.S. military academies.

Our nation only registers men. This has always been the case. Selective Service law as it is presently written refers specifically to “male persons” in stating who must register and who could be subject to a draft. Therefore, Selective Service procedures do not apply to women. In order for women to be required to register with Selective Service, Congress would have to change the wording of the law.

You are breaking the law. If prosecuted, you could be sent to prison for up to 5
years and may be fined up to $250, 000. In addition, if you fail to register, you
cannot qualify for federal student grants or loans for college, job training benefits
and many state and federal jobs.

No. In fact it’s never been easier. A young man can register with Selective
Service in less than 2 minutes via the Internet at www.sss.gov . You can also register by going to your local post office and completing a registration form. It’s as simple as filling in your name, address, telephone number, date of birth and Social Security number. Registration forms should be available in your local recreation or social service center, school’s guidance or registrar office, or you may receive a form in the mail. Simply complete it and mail the form to Selective Service.

Within 30 days of your 18th birthday. If you cannot register on time because you are hospitalized or in prison, you have 30 days in which to register after you are released. If 30 days have already passed since your 18th birthday, register immediately, either online or at your post office. Although Selective Service will accept a late registration, the longer you wait, the longer you are breaking the law and jeopardizing your future benefits.

When registering via the Internet, you will receive your Selective Service number immediately. That number is your proof of registration – for safe keeping, jot it down. You will receive a Selective Service card by mail within 2 weeks confirming that number. (Note: If you registered by mail, you will receive a card confirming your registration with 60-90 days.) If you don’t get your card within 90 days, write to:

Selective Service System
Registration Information Office
P.O. Box 94638
Palatine, IL 60094-4638

Or call 1-847-688-6888