Can I wait until im 25 to sign up for the Selective Service System? im 18 right now...?

Question

The folks at the Selective Service website writes that "late registrations are accepted, but not once I reach 26" and right above that paragraph is "a man turning 18 is required to register during the period of time beginning 30 days before, until 30 days after his 18th birthday...a 60-day window."

Im 18 right now, so do I wait until im 25 to sign up or do it now?
Anyone who can explain it, please do!

Thank you.

Why does the website say they accept late registrations until I'm 26? I don't understand! What's the real answer then!

So what's the deal on late registration, till when?

Answer 1

without registering, you will be unable to get any kind of federal loans, including student loans. You will be ineligble for any federal programs, including welfare or assistance.

so unless you are independnatly welthy and don't need any student loans, you can take your chances. But since there is not now, nor will not be in the near future, why not take the three minutes to sign up on the website and be done with it?

Answer 2

If you don't sign up then you still won't likely be prosecuted. No one has been charged for failure to register since the mid 1980's. They do submit the names of those who don't register to the department of justice but no action is taken. They will also accept a late registration until you turn 26. The only downside is that you will not be eligible for student aid and other government benefits. If there is a draft, which seems likely in spite of what others will tell you (there's North Korea, Iran and even staying in Iraq for any length of time will require more troops than volunteers can provide). Then they may attempt to prosecute those who don't register. It is more likely however that they will simply pick those who register and leave the rest alone to avoid even more massive discontent and resistance that is likely to come with a draft.

In any case I would base my decision on what you believe. If you know you won't go when drafted and you don't need or want government aide for college then not registering is a good choice. You can always register later, even if their is a draft, to avoid penalties since they want people in the army not jail. Unfortunatly you can not unregister once you relalize you have made a mistake. Right now the "prime draft age" is 20 years old moving to 21-25 if more people are needed. On reaching 26 you are no longer draft eligible, though these guidlines could change at any time. Please see the site below used as a source for much of this answer. It provides some facts the selective service and other pro-war people would not like to be made avaliable.

As I see it the draft is slavery, nothing less. Claiming to fight for freedom and then denying the basic freedom of self-determination and even moral freedom is the epitome of hypocracy. Further more all of the wars being fought or planned, by our country have nothing to do with the freedom of Americans. Whether or not they are for the freedom of Iraqi's and other potential occupied lands can also be debated since the majority of them hate us and want us out. Even a war in Korea for defense from nuclear missles or whatever would be absurd since president Bush continues to refuse diplomacy and pushes them closer to war each day.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, you have found your own answer.. Unless the rules have changed,

""a man turning 18 is required to register during the period of time beginning 30 days before, until 30 days after his 18th birthday...a 60-day window""

Not sure what penalties for failure to register are. Perhaps the website you accessed will give you specific information.

Unless the rules have changed, the draft won't take men over the age of 26. And, I don't think the draft is currently active, is it?

Military service only propogates war. Resist.

Answer 4

The government knows where you are, even if you don't register. The SSS tricks you into waiving your moral/legal right to be a conscientious objector in the future. Signing the card says "I agree to die for the rich, and won't challenge the government's moral authority in court." Register when/if you want, but if you don't register, you might not be eligible for employment and government programs. There's also a fine and possible jail time. Despite what the card may imply, the draft will accept you as long as you meet the age requirements for enlistment into the military. I believe the army now has 35yrs as a cap, not 26! Something to think about.

Answer 5

You should sign up now.

There are added benefits to getting it out of the way. When you apply for financial aid at a college or university, it will be asked on your application for aid. If you have not already signed up, you will asked to do so and it may delay receiving your financial aid statement.

If you decide to join the military, I believe that is also one of the requirements as well. I remember having to find my husbands card when he enlisted.

I am not sure why they have placed on there the late registration...maybe has something to do with boys/men who are out of the country for schooling or something. Or it could just be a polite way for them to say we wont punish you until this age for not registering. Who knows!

But I do recommend that you just go ahead and send in the paperwork....

Answer 6

You are required to sign up for Selective Service (a nice way of saying - THE DRAFT, if there ever is one again) at the age of 18. If you don't sign up, you will lose any right to assistance like FAFSA (school grants and loans) and other government assistance programs. You can also be prosecuted.

So, do it. It's pretty simple and nothing is going to happen to you when you do.

Answer 7

no. There's not going to be a draft, so I don't know what you're worried about. I would imagine that the late registration is for those who naturalize during the registration window.

Answer 8

no. you do need to sign up at 18. when they say they take late people up to age 25, they mean the ones they haven't caught. PS if you want to get financial aid for college, they ask if you're registered.

Answer 9

The real answer is this. If you are a male born in the USA,and are 18years of age. You register.Not doing so may put you in trouble later on.Since there is currently no draft,you are
not under any obligation to join the military. You just have to register for one. (Kinda silly if you ask me.)

Answer 10

I have no idea why it says 25, but when I was 18 (17 years ago) they sent me a card reminding me to register because I had gone 25 days past my 18th without registering.

My question was "If you know to send me the card, why do I have to go fill out the card??"