<p>Um ***...i just got a snail mail from the government saying that I have to register for the draft cuz I'm 18-26 and if I don't then I lose my pell grant and work-study rights among other things...did any of you guys get this mail? I really don't want to register for this because I don't want to get drafted but I really don't know what's up cuz I have to register by law?..and I have to reply in 10 days or I can go to jail for up to 5 years and/or pay a $250,000 fine..which is not cool</p>
<p>Ah, thank god I don't have a dick.</p>
<p>"and I have to reply in 10 days or I can go to jail for up to 5 years and/or pay a $250,000 fine."</p>
<p>Err, so reply? I don't see how you can avoid it unless you like jail or are rich... or maybe a sex-change op? And there probably isn't going to be a draft anyways.</p>
<p>edit -
[quote]
The United States abandoned the draft in 1973 under President Richard Nixon, ended the Selective Service registration requirement in 1975 under President Gerald Ford, and then re-instated the Selective Service registration requirement in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter.</p>
<p>Today the Selective Service System remains as a contingency, should a military draft be re-introduced.[3]</p>
<p>Under current law, all male U.S. citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Certain male aliens residing in the U.S., including those present illegally, are also required to register if they are between 18 and 26 years of age. "Willful" failure or refusal to present oneself for registration is against the law.[4][5]</p>
<p>In 1980, young men who knew they were required to register and did not do so, could face up to five years in jail or a fine up to $50,000 if convicted. The potential fine was later increased to $250,000. Despite these possible penalties, government records indicate that from 1980 through 1986 there were only 20 indictments, of which 19 were instigated in part by self-publicized and self-reported non-registration.[6] As one of the elements of the offense, the government must prove that a violation of the Military Selective Service Act was knowing and willful. This is almost impossible unless the prospective defendant has publicly stated that he knew he was required to register or report for induction, or unless he has been visited by the FBI, personally served with notice to register or report for induction, and given another chance to comply. The last prosecution for non-registration was in January 1986, after which many believed the government declined to continue prosecutions when it became apparent that the trials were themselves causing a decline in registration. Unlike the situation at the time when the draft was in effect, routine checks for id virtually never include a request for draft card.</p>
<p>As an alternative method of encouraging registration, federal legislators and most state legislators passed laws requiring that to receive financial aid, federal grants and loans, and certain government benefits, a young man had to be registered with Selective Service. Organized efforts to aid those losing benefits include Fund for Education and Training (FEAT) and Student Aid Fund for Nonregistrants.</p>
<p>In the current registration system one cannot indicate that he is a conscientious objector (CO) to war when registering, but he can make such a claim when being drafted. Some men choose to write on the registration card I am a conscientious objector to war to document their conviction, even though the government will not have such a classification until there is a draft.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So, basically you won't go to jail or pay a fine unless you want to do so for publicity, but you will lose your work-study and grant.</p>
<p>im surprised you didnt know about this earlier. the fafsa has a section that says that if you are 18 you have to register for the selective service otherwise you couldnt have your grant, etc.</p>
<p>theres no need to worry. there wont be a draft. president bush even said it himself. however, in the event that somehow the draft is reinstated, there is always canada :)</p>
<p>just register...its no big deal. i think you can even register online now</p>
<p>k i guess it must be done then...sigh i just dont like having the feeling that i can possibly be up for a draft and my parents dont like that idea of course too...</p>
<p>did every other male here do this too?</p>
<p>yes
10char</p>
<p>its the law... unless you're planning on moving out of the country you have to apply within I think 30 days of your 18th b-day</p>
<p>stupid sexist government. :mad:</p>
<p>you are "supposed" to do it when you turn 18 if you're, but as you can read above, they havent been enforcing it for over 20 years. so you can pretty much not register and get away with it. the caveat is, if you want any type of financial aid you'll have to register...</p>
<p>you must do it. I wouldn't worry too much, because since you are enrolled at UCLA, you'll have less of a chance of being drafted in that chance. Stay in school kids!</p>
<p>This is the stuff you gotta deal with once your're 18... But it's nothing to lose sleep over. The only letter you should be worried about is those motherf***** jury duty summons.</p>
<p>I guess there is no room for civic duty anymore. Are you really that scared that WWIII is going to start and Uncle Sam is going to want you to help defend?</p>
<p>No, actually I really don't want my education to be halted because of a draft if that ever happens. Oh and btw..like I'm really going to take your comment seriously, you're in the Air Force..what an objective comment:rollseyes:...I suppose you support Bush too?</p>
<p>etti, that is a highly ignorant response. Very ignorant. Not all serviceman may like the president's decisions, but they stand by them and they serve this nation with great dignity. It is highly unlikely they will pick you out of UCLA and put you in the frontline. I believe in that civic duty as well - as a citizen of this nation it is your responsibility to register for the draft. As well as vote and some other things.</p>
<p>Raimius, what year are you. I have two friends at the USAFA, you may know them.</p>
<p>Deuces, I believe all of the serviceman stand by his/her decision because most volunteered..right?</p>
<p>I admit my comment was ignorant and initially made out of anger because I was defending myself from his offensive standpoint. I was extremely offended by his rhetorical comment but I'm going to be the first one to take back my post.</p>
<p>And yes, I do believe in civic duty..who wouldn't be proud of the freedom in our country as opposed to the rest of the world?</p>
<p>What do you mean? If you're talking about a draft, our president didn't think of it. I was speaking about the opinions of the servicemen in regards to the recent military action.</p>
<p>And Raimius, stop trolling. I know a Luske, and D'Arcy</p>
<p>Oh if you're talking about the opinions of the serviceman than you are correct. Even though Bush didn't think of the draft..he once did acknowledge his support for bringing it back.</p>
<p>My post was rather pointed, and for that I apologize. Yes, I am biased, but I get annoyed when people (COs excluded) simply refuse to register. I see it as a civic duty, in case some idiot decides to start WWIII. IMO, the draft will not be returning anytime soon. There is not nearly enough support to seriously consider it, unless something drastic happens. I would speculate that there is less of a chance of getting drafted than being struck by lightning, winning the lottery, etc.</p>
<p>As far as supporting/criticizing the President's decisions, that is mixed. It is not servicemembers' place to publicly criticize our Commander in Chief, whatever we may think.</p>
<p>Oh, and I don't know either cadet you mentioned. I am a sophomore.</p>
<p>aye, luske is on the football team, your year. And D'arcy is a junior.</p>
<p>Do you mean Lusk? I had a summer program with him.</p>
<p>in the event of a draft, just relocate to other country. For ppl w/ double citizenship, go to the other country and enlist in the army, that way your american citizenship will b revoked and they will have no way to draft you.</p>