UNDER 26?
BE PREPARED WITH
Facts on Registration and the Military Draft

• Bring a friend or two with you as witnesses when you register at the Post Office. You do not get a receipt when you register, and you may need proof of registration for student aid, job training aid, job opportunities, or other purposes.

• When you register, ask for two registration cards. Fill in both, and write "duplicate" on one. Ask the clerk to stamp both and give one back to you. Keep it for proof that you have registered. A stamped, duplicate card is a valid proof of registration.

• Make a photocopy if the clerk will not let you have a stamped copy. It is legal to take it anywhere. Make two copies. Fold one in half and mail it to yourself without an envelope. The postmark on the back will show when you registered.

• If you register, make sure the SSS has an address where mail reaches you promptly. The time your notice spends in the mail comes out of your 10 days.

Caution: Non-registration is punishable by up to six years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

However, there are now over a half million non-registrants nationally; the government is not prosecuting at this time. No prosecutions have occurred since the mid 1980's.

Under current policy, you will not be prosecuted if you have not received a "final warning" letter from the Justice Department. You may also receive a warning letter from the SSS or from the IRS.

If you receive a warning letter, talk to a draft counselor or a lawyer.

Student and Job Training Aid: Recent laws require registration in applying for financial aid. If you can not or will not confirm registration, alternative private aid may be available. Contact a draft counselor.

If cooperating with the draft or with the military disturbs your conscience, you are not alone. Many people feel that in a nuclear age we can not afford any military buildup.

If you are bothered by your military obligations, talk to a draft counselor. Brochures on conscientious objection are available from Maine Draft and Military Counselors (see addresses/phone numbers below).

You are the person most affected by the draft, and you deserve to know what the government may expect of you. Draft procedures can be hard to follow, and the Selective Service System (SSS) and Post Office won't help you understand them.

Things can change fast.

If the draft were activated tomorrow, you might find yourself in uniform in less than two weeks.

Plan ahead what you will do if this happens. Be prepared with necessary documents.

Draft rules and procedures have been re-written since the draft was last used. This will mean even more confusion than usual with the draft. To protect yourself, try to find out now about the rules that apply to you.

You have only 10 days if drafted to apply for exemptions and deferments. If you qualify, know how to get them.

If activated, the draft could drastically affect you. Your best protection is a sure knowledge of what you will do if you are drafted.

The draft regulations may change between now and when you are drafted. With the pentagon anticipating a shortage, it is wise to keep informed. Talk to a draft counselor or to a lawyer familiar with the draft law.

Magazines and newsletters are available to keep you informed of changes in draft policy.

The best advice: Plan ahead; keep informed.

You may not apply yet, but if drafted, you must apply for all the exemptions and deferments to which you are entitled. If you don't, you will not be allowed to apply for them later.

• Student postponements are available for students in high schools, vocational schools, etc., who are age 20 or under.

• College students can receive postponements until the end of the term, or of the year for seniors. Ministry students are exempt if in accepted divinity schools.

• Physical Exemptions: Standards are complex and fill 23 pages of government manuals, but many are as common as hay fever, flat feet, or being overweight. Draft counselors have the whole list and can help you determine which you may qualify for.

• Mental exemptions: Standards are also complex, but you do not have to be mentally ill to qualify. Some "mental problems" for the army are no problem in civilian life.

• Hardship deferments are available if your absence would be a financial, emotional, or physical problem for your wife, children, parents, grandparents, sisters, or brothers.

• Conscientious objectors are exempt from military service if they object to war in any form. You do not have to belong to any special church, or even be religious, as long as the objection is based on moral or ethical beliefs.

• Women can not be drafted now, but if the draft is activated, Congress may decide to draft women. Keep informed, and be prepared to act quickly.

Get your documents ready now while the draft is on standby, especially if you are age 18-22 years old.

Documentation is required to support your claims for most exemptions and deferments.

For some claims you will also need witnesses, and you may need to make a personal appearance before your draft board.

Draft counselors can tell you which exemptions and deferments you may qualify for. They can also help you decide what documents you will need, and rules you will have to follow.

You may also qualify for exemption or deferment if:

• your father, mother, sister, or brother died from service related injuries or ill ness during or after their service

• you are a full-time minister (ordained or unordained), or a ministry student

• you are a citizen of another country

• you have been in the service, or in certain other government agencies

• you do not meet moral standards

For more information or free counseling, contact:

Larry Dansinger/MDMC
161 Stovepipe Alley
Monroe, ME 04951
(207) 525-7776
rosc@psouth.net