okay my bf just turned 18 and he got a letter that he had to sign up for the draft ..... do u think they will send him to iraq? can he join the army but not go off shooting people over their like he can help injured and stuff or is their away for him not to go i really need a answe i heard they will send veteransbefore they sent new people help me im so worried should i bee?
2007-01-18 13:31:06 · 20 answers · asked by tink 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I think you're the most ignorant person I've seen yet on Yahoo Answer when it comes to being informed about our society and the military today...
2007-01-18 16:25:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, registering for Selective Service is not the same thing as actually being drafted. Right now there is no draft, they just have people register in case there's ever a need for it; it's been the practice for about 25 years. It is *extremely unlikely* the current Congress would authorize a draft for the Iraq war; only a clear and immediate danger of great magnitude (such as, say, Iran nuking Israel) would precipitate such a need.
At the moment, all military service is voluntary, meaning you have to go enlist. This is different from being drafted. You can choose your service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) but not necessarily what job you'll get. For example, you can sign up to be a medic, and if you have the right qualifications it's *more likely* you'll get it; but if the needs of the service and/or your demonstrated abilities dictate otherwise, they'll put you wherever they want. You can sign up for a Reserve or Guard unit, if they have room, but there's no promise the unit won't get called up.
The best person to speak to for more information is a recruiter; just don't sign anything without knowing *exactly* what it means. If your BF is planning on college, he could consider ROTC or a private military academy which can provide some flavor of the experience without an initial commitment.
2007-01-18 21:46:53 · answer #2 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every male that turns 18 is required to register for the selective service ........"the draft." This is standard protocol and has been done for years. It doesn't mean he's getting drafted, it simply is a way for the government to "track" him now that he's 18 and of legal age for the draft in case they may need him. Every male does it. There is no need for worries. Consider it a "right of passage" for males. Aren't we lucky? If for some chance he is drafted, he will be put where "they" want him. More than likely, the infantry.....where all the shooting goes on. His best bet is, if he is ever drafted, he needs to immediately go volunteer to the branch of his choice.."before it's to late" and get into a job that is less likely to be on the front lines. I would suggest the air force or navy.......alot less bullets. The avionics field is pretty good too and would provide a good resume for when he gets out.
2007-01-18 21:38:57 · answer #3 · answered by dylancv62 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All young men have to register with Selective Service when they turn 18, but there is no draft, so don't worry, he won't have to go anywhere unless he enlists, or unless the government reinstates the draft, which is pretty unlikely. He can join the army and be in a non-combat role such as medic, aviation, computers, etc. but there is no way to guarantee that he *won't* go to Iraq. He will go where the Army needs him the most. Unless he enlists you don't have to worry about him. Hope this helps.
2007-01-18 21:59:28 · answer #4 · answered by Marc B. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can not send him to Iraq just for registering for the draft. There is no draft.... yet. If he signs up for the Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force then yes they can send him off to Iraq. If he doesn't want to "go off shooting people" he should go to school to learn a non combat type skill. Things like truck, jet engine repair, plumber, office worker skills. During Vietnam, I was a good typest and joined the Air Force. Never saw the inside of a military air craft. I was stuck behind a typewriter for 4 years.
2007-01-18 21:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by gosh137 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every 18 year old male has to register for the Selective Service. There is no draft right now, they just keep a running list of who would be eligible in case they ever need a draft. The only way your boyfriend is going to Iraq is if he VOLUNTEERS and enlists. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.
2007-01-19 10:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. The selective service which your bf has to sign up for is required for all men between 18-25. This is a just in case of emergency type thing. WW3 caliber or bigger. The draft has to be authorized by the senate, the house of reps, and the president and the Supreme Ct has to determine its lawful. As for the current situation your safe. Men who enlist are required to sign up for 8 years whether they actually do 3 (for example) the remaining will be IRR individual ready reserve which is like a draft for those who've already enlisted, those men can and will be called back first.
2007-01-18 21:38:03 · answer #7 · answered by Nathan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, once a man turns 18 he is required to REGISTER for the draft, but at this time, there is no active draft.
A funny story about my draft registration: I went into the Army when I was only 17, and was sent to Korea about four months before my 18th birthday. Shortly after arriving in Korea, I got a letter, addressed to "PFC _______" (my rank at the time) at my military unit, wanting to know why I hadn't signed up for the draft! Then, further into the letter, it gave me the address for the nearest draft office to me, and it was San Francisco, CA! Isn't that a riot??
2007-01-18 23:01:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
By Federal Law, all 18-year -old males in the U.S. must register for the Selective Service.
But since there is currently no active draft, he doesn't have to worry about going to Iraq or Afghanistan until such time as he **volunteers** to enlist in the military. And if he volunteers, he can choose the branch -- Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines -- to join.
2007-01-18 21:40:12 · answer #9 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am in the Army, but he is just sighing up for the draft. he is not joining the army. Its the U.S. law for guys to sign up for the draft when they turn 18.
What is the draft? Is is a program that the US came up with to be able to pull guys in to service if there was a need for them. I can tell you, that they will not activate the draft.
You should not worry about it.
All he is doing is saying, if my country needs me, i would prefer to go in this service. (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines)
He is not joining the Army.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me, Im sure I can get you more info about the draft.
2007-01-18 21:40:38 · answer #10 · answered by Jack P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SIgning up for the draft and going are two different things today. The draft ended in the 1970's.
If he wants to go and not be in combat arms, go into support areas such as the Signal Corps, Medical, Administrative, or logistics fields.
2007-01-18 22:34:30 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋