REGISTERING FOR THE DRAFTI'm a man turning 18 and I know I am required to register for the draft. I don't believe in war. What are my options? Your choices are not easy, but you do have them! It is true that the law says that every male must register for the draft within a 60 day period beginning 30 days prior to his 18th birthday. At present there is no actual draft. Congress would have to pass a bill calling for a draft, which could happen if there was a perceived emergency or if the government wanted to "send a message" or threat to another government or foreign group. Many people are concerned that a draft may come in the near future. The government presents draft registration as a low or no risk proposition -- a rite of passage to adulthood, like getting a driver's license. This cavalier attitude is reflected in Selective Service publicity material. One widely-used advertisement uses the slogan,” a man's got to do what a man's got to do." The agency sends out reminder notices in the form of a birthday card (with a picture of a cake and candles). These notices are sent to lists of young people purchased from state driver's license bureaus and commercial agencies that market products to young people. The maximum penalties for non-registration are stiff (prison and/or fine), although current government policy is not to prosecute people accused of failing to register for the draft. In fact, no one has been prosecuted since the mid-1980s; and only 20 young men were prosecuted between 1980 and 1985. Instead, the draft agency has relied on a series of coercive federal and state laws that deny benefits (such as financial aid for college, certain government jobs, and participation in federally-funded job training programs) to young people in order to muscle them into complying. In addition, aliens (including undocumented aliens) are barred from becoming a U.S. citizen. To make matters worse, many people are indefinitely barred from receiving these benefits since the Selective Service System (the government bureaucracy that administers the draft) does not allow a person to register after he turns 26. In spite of this, many people either refuse or fail to register. Selective Service's own estimates are of 80% compliance. More recently, to overcome that failure, Selective Service has found a more powerful inducement. In many states, you cannot get a driver's license without registering. Although some still allow you to opt-out of registering, most make it a requirement even for people as young as 16! An up to date list, by state, is available at www.centeronconscience.org . The registration system does not leave much room for making choices, but there are choices! You either register or you don't: It is only after a draft is reinstated by Congress and you receive an actual notice calling you up for military service that you can try to obtain a "deferment" (a postponement of military service) or "exemption" (a release from military service). At that point you could present information about medical or family problems, your objection to fighting in all wars (conscientious objection), or other reasons for not being drafted.The chief difficulty you face is that you have to make a decision now based in part on what you think may or may not happen later. Both registering and not registering have their risks. The risks associated with not registering are obvious: possible prosecution or the loss of benefits. On the other hand, persons who register may find it more difficult to avoid the draft later. There is no "right" choice for everybody who is opposed to a draft. You have to make a decision for yourself based on what you think you can live with. There are several resources that can help you with this dilemma. There is help to sort out your beliefs about war at the Center for Conscience and War's web site: www.centeronconscience.org . The Fund for Education and Training also provides financial assistance to persons who have been denied benefits because they have not registered for the draft. Registering as a CO: There is no legal procedure for "registering as conscientious objector." Some people register for selective service but place messages stating their opposition to war in the margins. You should understand that this is a form of protest and does not necessarily have any legal significance later if you should apply for a deferment or exemption. Finally, you should write to your members of Congress letting them know that you think a draft is never a good idea. Tell them to oppose any move to the draft. Contact the sources below for further information and assistance:
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