On September 8th, I turned 18. Now, I've got conflicting information. My college suitemate told me that if I don't sign up within a month, I could be jailed. My Dad, on the other hand, said he never signed up for the draft and never got into trouble for it, and other people he knew never signed up for the draft.
I'm a middle-class male college student living in New York state, if that matters.
2007-09-11 12:05:35 · 30 answers · asked by kvn8907 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
P.S. by "sign up for the draft" I meant "sign up for the selective service which is registration for if a draft ever gets reinstated". I know there's no "draft" right now. Sorry for the confusion. Thankfully, most people got that anyway.
2007-09-11 13:44:20 · update #1
By law, you need to register.
As far as consequences for failing, I believe it could impact you at any time you try to receive a federal benefit. I don't know about jail, however.
Edit...from the selective service site:
What is the penalty for not registering?
If you do not register, you could be prosecuted and fined up to $250,000 and/or be put in jail for up to five years. Registration is also a requirement to qualify for Federal student aid, job training benefits, and most Federal employment.
2007-09-11 12:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by Yahoo Answer Angel 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You are probably not going to 'get in trouble' for it but registration with the Selective Service is used for other things besides a possible draft so it MAY cause you some problems including with employment and paying taxes. It is the 'law' that you register in any case if you are male and over the age of 18.
If you don't want to register - don't. But there may be consequences. It would probably be better to register and put down that you are a conscientious objector if that is what is preventing you from registering.
In the event of a draft, not having signed-up with the Selective Service isn't going to protect you.
2007-09-11 12:16:52 · answer #2 · answered by Patriotic Libertarian 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no draft to sign up for, but you do have to register for the Selective Service, which is just a piece of paper saying you are registered is all. You can get this paperwork at any local Post Office, fill it out and mail it in. It's nothing to worry about at all, you cannot be drafted into the Military because of it. It's a civic duty, as a citizen of the United States, kind of like filling out the questionnaires for jury duty, but with the Selective Service, you won't have to serve any time like you may have to do for jury duty. I don't really know if there is punishment for not registering but why take the chance, it's just a form, nothing to worry about.
2007-09-11 12:17:08 · answer #3 · answered by robotchic 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You do need to sign up with the Selective Service. But you can do that just by going to the DMV and doing it their or just getting a mail in form. The draft won't happen, don't worry.
2007-09-11 13:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree! both sexes should register for the draft! The Isreali Army has both men and women! And even OUR Military accepts both! I think one of the reasons the Government left girls out of the picture, is, because they CAN get pregnant! The weaker sex, so to speak! (Yeah! Right!) Can you imagine, You would have to have a child care center on every Military Post!? LOL! And if you are bad, instead of giving you KP, you have to go watch and care for all the little "soldiers" while their Mommies run around playing BIG soldier!!! A woman can fire a gun just as easily and well as a man! but when It comes to carrying and lifting heave loads, this is where you get the separation of man and woman!! Sorry girls, but we really are NOT as strong as men!!!
2016-05-17 09:29:31 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 18th birthday isn't until September 20, but I've already gotten a letter in the mail last week saying that I am already registered with the selective service program. What I'm saying is that I am not sure whether or not it is illegal at some point in time to "not" register. But judging by how early they were to register me without my knowing, you should receive a letter in the mail soon enough.
2007-09-11 14:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by mudknot1330 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no draft. You do need to sign up with the Selective Service. The suitemate may have had them confused.
2007-09-11 12:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by Glen B 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The information is not conflicting. Officially, you are required to sign up and they could prosecute you if you do not. Unofficially, not everyone who violates this law gets prosecuted.
It is somewhat like the speed limit. If you drive 1 mph faster than the sign says, you can get a ticket, in theory, but many persons drive 2-9 mph faster than the sign says and do not get tickets.
2007-09-11 12:14:11 · answer #8 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your dad's giving you bad advice ! Perhaps in his day you could get away with not signing with Selective Service. Today, with computerization the chances are greater that you will be discovered.
Since you have already declared that you are aware of this national procedure, it could go hard on you for failing to follow the law !
2007-09-11 12:43:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Young man, there has been no draft since President Gerald Ford repealed it in 1975. You just have to sign up with the Selective Service.
Is New York really that blue????
2007-09-11 12:12:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋