<p>I'm an 18 year old male. I just got a letter in the mail saying that because I'm receiving financial aid in the fall, I have to sign up for selective service. My Dad who opposes war to a great extent, is freaking out and wanting to know why, and so do I. Is it the federal loans I'm taking out (standard 5500 for freshmen) that's forcing me to sign up? My grant from CMU? A little explanation would be great.</p>
<p>How about because it is the law. From the Selective Service website:</p>
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<p>All males are supposed to register upon their 18th birthday. Applying for Federal financial aid simply prompts the feds to remind you of your civic duty and legal responsibility.</p>
<p>Man up and register.</p>
<p>It is the law that males in the US must sign up for selective service when they reach 18 and before they turn 26. You are required to do so whether you are receiving fiancial aid or not. </p>
<p>One of the penalties for not doing so is that you are ineligible for federal student aid of any sort, including loans. You would also be ineligible for certain jobs and other benefits. Plus there are other penalties.</p>
<p>Were you under 18 when you did FAFSA? Normally no FA is even offered by a school if you do not answer yes to the selective service question. If you do not register, you will lose eligibility for the aid you have.</p>
<p>It has been the law for many years, so I’m not sure why your dad is so surprised.</p>
<p>Actually if you are 18, your FAFSA won’t even be processed unless you register with the Selective Service.</p>
<p>I was 17 when I did the FAFSA. Thanks for the clarification.</p>
<p>That’s why I was wondering if he was under 18 when he completed FAFSA.</p>
<p>Well, you need to register now that you are 18.</p>
<p>We have one friend whose mom was so freaked the first FAFSA year that they never did complete the FAFSA (because of the Selective Service registration) – so they payed full price (and the young man had to register anyway to be in compliance with the law)</p>
<p>You really, really do NOT want to skip registering with Selective Service. It can come back to bite you in the heinie later – say you get to be 30 and want to do some important Government work – then the failure to have complied with a Federal Law can be something that can bar you from that job. </p>
<p>Your Dad loves you and is horrified of the idea of you marching off to war. Here’s some positive things you two can do:
- Write your Congressperson and ask for the law to change
- You (student) write a letter, stating your beliefs, copy it and mail the original to yourself. When it arrives, put the unopened envelope and your copy together into the file bin/cabinet. Now you have documented your beliefs (and can later go to a Draft board with that to show that you didn’t suddenly become a peacenik when shooting starts)
- Look at the latest economy numbers. As long as the economy stinks, the military is going to have plenty of young applicants and they won’t be looking for you.
- Register to vote. Might as well make your voice heard.
- Have some heart to heart talks about what it means to “serve your Country” – maybe you want to earn an EMT credential or other skill so that you could serve your nation or the world without carrying arms should the world de-volve into war (heavy equipment drivers, truck drivers, water experts, boat operators, divers, art therapists for children or grief counselors are just some of the categories that would be put to work elsewhere, one would suspect). </p>
<p>Be assured that a national draft would be a huge, controversial event (why don’t young women have to register?). It is highly unlikely to occur in the near future. Please do comply with the current law and register – and then take up the level of activism that is right for you and your father.</p>
<p>You can register and then file as a conscientious objecter. There are other ways to serve the country than going to war… volunteer somewhere.</p>
<p>You need to register with Selective Service. In addition to no financial aid and possible loss of eligibility for government jobs, you won’t be able to register to vote. There is no draft currently and you would have plenty of notice to register as a CO if needs be. </p>
<p>You might also have something that would make you 4-F. For instance, one of my sons has a plate and screws in his arm and another has one in his ankle; those are dealbreakers (especially the ankle). Another one of my son’s is almost legally blind and two are color blind (including one with a plate); the other color blind kid has flat feet. When Charles Rangel was talking about reinstating the draft, I taught them all Phil Ochs’ “Draft Dodger Rag.”</p>
<p>You need to register. My boys are either registered or too young to register.</p>
<p>Not “possible loss of eligibility” - certain loss of eligibility. If you don’t register for Selective Service, you won’t be hired for any federal job, ever.</p>
<p>I sympathize, as I’m a peacenik too, but if the unthinkable happens, I will deal with it when it comes.</p>
<p>You are asking the American people to help you get an education. They are asking for something from you in return (as defined by Congress). Enroll.</p>
<p>Man up and sign up. Selective Service is a responsibility. You are getting the benefits of US Citizenship. You need to fulfill your responsibilities as well.</p>
<p>Besides, they have an Alternative Service option for conscientious objectors that don’t include “fighting.”</p>
<p>[Selective</a> Service System - Info](<a href=“http://www.sss.gov/default.htm]Selective”>http://www.sss.gov/default.htm)</p>
<p>Amen ErIn’s Dad!</p>
<p>register to VOTE while you are at it</p>
<p>Wikipedia has a good write up on selective service.
Registering with selective service does have any bearing on your right to claim conscientious object status when drafted. The question is moot until such time as you are actually drafted. i.e., DoD is not going to spend time & money on making CO determinations before they send a person draft notice.</p>