according to what my dad said, i have to join the army when i reach 18 or else it will be against the law?

Question

i just got home, and my dad told me that when i reach 18, i have to join the Army, if i dont, it will be against the law, he said the USA law demands every guys who is 18 to register to join the army. Is it true????

Answer 1

No. There is no military draft anymore in the US, and there hasn't been one for 34 years. But by law, all males are required to register for the Selective Service when they turn 18. The Selective Service is just the government's mailing list which keeps your name on file in case the draft ever comes back. But even though it's technically illegal not to register, millions of guys a year don't bother with it and only a mere handful of people were ever arrested for not doing so (and the last arrest they made was over 20 years ago). Their office might send you a few warning notices if you fail to register, but they don't actually enforce it. In some states, though, they require you to register for the SS in order to register to vote or obtain your driver's license so they don't give you much of a choice there, but otherwise you can safely ignore that law and not register if you don't want to.

Answer 2

This is a misunderstood statement. You are required to register with the Selective Service. This does not mean you are joining any military branch. There is currently no draft, but you still have to register.

Answer 3

You have to register for the selective service (draft) by law, but at this point, it's still an all volunteer army. You don't have to join, but you do have to register for the draft.

Answer 4

Yes you have to register. No you do not have to join. Registration does not mean that you enlist. It is a mechanism by which a draft can be instituted if need be. No worries. However, a failure to register can cause all sorts of problems. It is quick and painless.

Answer 5

Your dad is trying to get rid of you.