Why is Selective Service Important? | Selective Service System (2024)

FAQs

Why is Selective Service Important? | Selective Service System? ›

It keeps our nation prepared to support our All-Volunteer force for any national emergency we might face. The fairness and equality of any future draft relies on all men to fulfill their civic duty by registering. Not only is registration important to our nation, but it's important for young men and their future.

By registering all eligible men, Selective Service ensures a fair and equitable draft, if ever required. Exemptions and deferments apply only in the event of a draft.

Registration is a way our government keeps a list of names of men from which to draw in case of a national emergency requiring rapid expansion of our Armed Forces. By registering all young men, Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.

The Selective Service Act, also known as the Selective Draft Act authorized the federal government to raise a national army for the American entry into World War I through the compulsory enlistment of people.

Selective Service's mission is to register virtually all men residing in the United States. If a draft is ever needed, the process must be fair, and that fairness depends on having all eligible men register.

Parents should help young men become aware of their civic and legal responsibilities. By registering, your son remains eligible for benefits that are linked to registration, like state-based student aid, grants, job training programs, government jobs and citizenship.

In the event of a draft, local and appeal boards would be mobilized to form the “backbone” of Selective Service. Board members would decide draft deferments, postponements, and exemptions based upon claims filed by the men who are selected for induction.

The Selective Service Act, signed by Pres. Woodrow Wilson on May 18, 1917, created the Selective Service System, which managed the induction of some 2.8 million men into the armed forces over the next two years and abolished the much maligned bounty system.

Failure to register is a felony and non-registrants may be denied the following benefits for life: State-based student loans and grant programs in 31 states. Federal job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly Workforce Investment Act) Federal (and many state and local) jobs.

Every man who is registered with the Selective Service System will receive a registration acknowledgement letter with a registration card in the mail from Selective Service within 90 days of registering. This is proof of your registration and can be used when applying for: state-based aid in 31 states. federal jobs.

How did the Selective Service System contribute to the war? ›

How did Selective Service System contribute to US war effort? Expanded draft and provided 10 million soldiers. How did US women contribute to war effort? The WAAC was formed: women were given military jobs (everything besides direct combat) and received equal pay, benefits, and status.

A status information letter from the Selective Service System states the facts: Whether or not a man is registered; whether or not the man should have registered; or if he is exempt from registering.

U.S. dual nationals are required by law to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday, regardless of whether they live inside or outside of the U.S. Dual nationals residing outside of the U.S. can register using a foreign address here.

Almost all men who are 18-25 years old and live in the United States must register for Selective Service. This includes: U.S. citizens (U.S. born, dual citizens, and naturalized) U.S. citizens who live outside of the country.

At what age can you not be drafted into the military? The Selective Service System mandates that men aged 18-25 register for a potential draft. After turning 26, they are no longer eligible to be drafted.

If you get a draft notice, show up, and refuse induction, you'll probably be prosecuted. However, some people will slip through the cracks in the system, and some will win in court. If you show up and take the physical, there's a good chance that you'll flunk.

Failure to register is a felony and non-registrants may be denied the following benefits for life: State-based student loans and grant programs in 31 states. Federal job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly Workforce Investment Act) Federal (and many state and local) jobs.

Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, 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.

However, the Selective Service System now accepts early submission of registration information by 17 year old men. The Agency holds their registration information and automatically enters their data into the system when they turn 18.