Can anyone tell me?

Question

Assuming the draft was reinstated, would they draft a namesake? My step-son is the last male in his family to carry on the name and I'm just wondering if they'd draft him?

Answer 1

I would hope so. He is as much an American as the rest of us (that are). I hope they don't reinstate the draft though.

Answer 2

After WWII they removed the restrictions on drafting namesakes. However if the draft were to be reinstated a new draft resolution would have to be drawn up by the House of Reps and approved by the Senate. So that question could only be answered then...

Answer 3

The belief that being the only child (or the only male child) in a family exempts one from compulsory military service is a widespread but erroneous belief, a misunderstanding of Select Service rules enacted after World War II.

In 1948, in order to safeguard the only remaining sons of families that had lost other children during World War II, the United States passed a law that exempted sole surviving sons from the draft. This exemption applied only when one or more children (sons or daughters) from the family had already died or been killed during military service. In 1964 this law was modified to extend the exemption to sons who were the only surviving male offspring of fathers who had died as a result of military service, and at the same time the exemption was altered to apply only to peacetime drafts. This law was modified again in 1971 to extend the exemption to any son (not necessarily the only surviving son) whose father or brother (or sister) had died in military service.

So, to clear up the misunderstandings, note that:


-You are not exempt from military service simply because you are an only child or an only son. You are exempt only if one of your siblings or parents (mothers are now included as well) has died as a result of military service.

-You do not have to be a sole remaining son to meet this requirement - the exemption applies to all remaining sons from qualified families.

-This exemption is not in effect during wartime.

(Although all American men are required to register with the Selective Service upon turning 18, the U.S. does not currently have a peacetime draft, having converted to an all-volunteer military in 1973. Whether a draft held while U.S. forces were engaged in military action but war had not officially been declared - as in the current situation - would be considered a "peacetime" draft or a "wartime" draft is debatable; our query to the Selective Service received only the circular answer that since no draft is in effect at this time, we are considered to be at peace.)

Answer 4

He would certainly be eligible to be drafted. However, the military has a rule that sole-surviving sons (i.e. your step-son) can request to not be sent into a combat zone. He would still have to serve (and hopefully do so proudly), but most likely would not be in combat...unless he volunteers for it.

Answer 5

I was drafted, and I am my father's only son.

Answer 6

he can still be drafted.

Answer 7

yes