What is the draft? And can it ever be reinstated? Here's what to know

[Ontario]

When Russia launched a military invasion into Ukraine early Thursday, some, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, drew comparisons with Germany's invasion into neighboring countries during the Nazi era of World War II.

The draft is the mandatory enrollment of individuals of a certain age and gender into the armed forces to fill vacancies that could not be filled by volunteers.

Drafting has occurred during times of conflict and in peacetime, though the first peacetime draft was not enacted until 1940 amid rising international hostilities leading up to World War II, according to the Selective Service System.
“It could be the start of a third world war. We should realize it, because Putin will not stop," Honcharuk said.

Amid talk of a wider war, as well as news that Zelenskyy has called up reservists and those liable for service for a full military mobilization, questions about the U.S. draft process have emerged. Could the government ever reinstate the draft? Who can be drafted and why? Here's what to know.

The draft is the mandatory enrollment of individuals of a certain age and gender into the armed forces to fill vacancies that could not be filled by volunteers.

Drafting has occurred during times of conflict and in peacetime, though the first peacetime draft was not enacted until 1940 amid rising international hostilities leading up to World War II, according to the Selective Service System.

[kittycat51]

What health issues could get you off the hook?

[gkearney]

What health issues could get you off the hook?

Well there are the obvious ones, blindness, low vision, deafness, mobility/orthopedic issues, loss of a limb, etc. Also conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions. There are many others.

At one time being a woman or a homosexual disqualified you but I would suspect in any modern conscription that would no longer be the case.

[tribrac]

In the US there was a big deal made in the news about women being eligble for the draft....equality you know.

But after the house passed it, it was taken out of the large spending bill it had been a part of. So it has never been made law. So currently girls don't have to register.

Interestingly, if you go to the selective service web page it confirms only boys need ro register for the draft...including surgically altered boys. Surgically altered girls whom claim to be boys are not required to register for the draft....very archaic of the DoD.

[gkearney]

I suspect that if there ever actual conscription that everyone men and women would be caught up in it.

If women are going to make the argument for equality then they will need to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

[Lexew1899]

What health issues could get you off the hook?

Well there are the obvious ones, blindness, low vision, deafness, mobility/orthopedic issues, loss of a limb, etc. Also conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions. There are many others.

At one time being a woman or a homosexual disqualified you but I would suspect in any modern conscription that would no longer be the case.

Don't forget the unvaccinated! They can never join Brother Biden's army. They might make someone really sick with a cold bug (shudders at the thought).

[kittycat51]

What health issues could get you off the hook?

Well there are the obvious ones, blindness, low vision, deafness, mobility/orthopedic issues, loss of a limb, etc. Also conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions. There are many others.

At one time being a woman or a homosexual disqualified you but I would suspect in any modern conscription that would no longer be the case.

Don't forget the unvaccinated! They can never join Brother Biden's army. They might make someone really sick with a cold bug (shudders at the thought).

My 20 yr old is unvaxed and he has autoimmune issues with muscle pain/weakness. That’s a pass?

[tribrac]

Its not like they would be volunteering. If your sons are unvaxed then drafted they will be injected with many things...whatever the ptb want.

And if they just want to stir up contention, shorten lives and increase misery how better to accomplish it than drafting sick kids, and kids on the spectrum, and the lick...there is nothing in the law to stop them. Its all a matter of their goals.

Maybe ylur kid could get a college deferral like RMN.

[kittycat51]

And if they just want to stir up contention, shorten lives and increase misery how better to accomplish it than drafting sick kids, and kids on the spectrum, and the lick...there is nothing in the law to stop them. Its all a matter of their goals.

Thanks for boosting my day. As a mother of all boys this whole possible WWIII makes me very uneasy. (My 20 yr old is my baby and the only one left at home)

[tribrac]

If it helps i can find the dark cloud to cover any silver lining. And i am often wrong.

[gkearney]

As anyone who has ever been in the military knows, you get a whole host of vaccinations when you’re inducted. No doubt the Covid-19 vaccines are part of those now.

[larsenb]

When Russia launched a military invasion into Ukraine early Thursday, some, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, drew comparisons with Germany's invasion into neighboring countries during the Nazi era of World War II.

The draft is the mandatory enrollment of individuals of a certain age and gender into the armed forces to fill vacancies that could not be filled by volunteers.

Drafting has occurred during times of conflict and in peacetime, though the first peacetime draft was not enacted until 1940 amid rising international hostilities leading up to World War II, according to the Selective Service System.
“It could be the start of a third world war. We should realize it, because Putin will not stop," Honcharuk said.

Amid talk of a wider war, as well as news that Zelenskyy has called up reservists and those liable for service for a full military mobilization, questions about the U.S. draft process have emerged. Could the government ever reinstate the draft? Who can be drafted and why? Here's what to know.

The draft is the mandatory enrollment of individuals of a certain age and gender into the armed forces to fill vacancies that could not be filled by volunteers.

Drafting has occurred during times of conflict and in peacetime, though the first peacetime draft was not enacted until 1940 amid rising international hostilities leading up to World War II, according to the Selective Service System.

There were a number of attempts to reinstitute the draft after the Vietnam War, none successful; which probably had a lot to do w/the military accepting female volunteers in a more rigorous fashion and broadening their combat scope.

People had learned the lesson (at least during that time) that the US had no business forcing its citizens to fight in foreign countries. Which they don't . . . according to Christian Just War theory, which the Book of Mormon very much supports (at least during their righteous phases).

Unfortunately, as the generation that learned these lessons dies off, the draft could very well raise its ugly head again.

[Fred]

I suspect that if there ever actual conscription that everyone men and women would be caught up in it.

If women are going to make the argument for equality then they will need to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

That is okay for the girls that really think that they are inferior unless treated like men, but when they pass a law, it applies to everyone. Even the pretty ones that don't take hormones so they can shave everyday.

[BKColt]

Served in the Selective Service System as a reservist during the Gulf War. As the MEPS Liaison Officer for the state of Colorado, we were ready to reconstitute the draft if needed. Local draft boards were annually trained on what constituted exemptions, like a minister or student deferrment through the end of a semester. Training was heavy on what legally constituted a conscientious objector. Thankfully, no draft.

[Niemand]

What would be the age range on the draft? 18-30? A lot of twenty somethings aren't physically fit.

One of the problems the British military has is recruits who have spent their lives wearing trainers/sneakers - their feet are notoriously soft because they've never worn proper shoes. A lot are barely functionally literate or numerate.

The UK army also takes in recruits at 16. I know a couple of people who went in at that age.

[Robin Hood]

What would be the age range on the draft? 18-30? A lot of twenty somethings aren't physically fit.

One of the problems the British military has is recruits who have spent their lives wearing trainers/sneakers - their feet are notoriously soft because they've never worn proper shoes. A lot are barely functionally literate or numerate.

The UK army also takes in recruits at 16. I know a couple of people who went in at that age.

I was stationed in Germany with the British army. Tough bunch.
They might have soft feet when they go in, but not for long.

[larsenb]

Served in the Selective Service System as a reservist during the Gulf War. As the MEPS Liaison Officer for the state of Colorado, we were ready to reconstitute the draft if needed. Local draft boards were annually trained on what constituted exemptions, like a minister or student deferrment through the end of a semester. Training was heavy on what legally constituted a conscientious objector. Thankfully, no draft.

Probably because of what I mentioned happened during and after the Vietnam war. They realized it wouldn't fly . . . especially because it was being driven by another foreign war, the inception of which was fraught with a lot of fraudulent claims, which many people became aware of.

[larsenb]

What would be the age range on the draft? 18-30? A lot of twenty somethings aren't physically fit.

One of the problems the British military has is recruits who have spent their lives wearing trainers/sneakers - their feet are notoriously soft because they've never worn proper shoes. A lot are barely functionally literate or numerate.

The UK army also takes in recruits at 16. I know a couple of people who went in at that age.

I was stationed in Germany with the British army. Tough bunch.
They might have soft feet when they go in, but not for long.

Speaking of a "tough bunch", I recently looked up the bio of Tommy Flanagan who had a role in the Gladiator movie, etc.; the guy with the horribly scarred face. Here's an extract:

"The story goes that Flanagan was out at a pub one night having a normal time, and as he was leaving the pub, a group of people attacked him and tried to rob him. You can imagine that Flanagan probably put up a fight, but there were just too many attackers for him to contend with. These attackers slashed his face from ear to ear, leaving him with an injury that was to scar him for the rest of his life. This scar became known as the Glasgow Grin or the Glaswegian Smile.'"

A tough environment. Just how common was this kind of event in Scotland? Maybe Niemand can answer that. Have either of you seen any other examples of the Glasgow Grin?

[Niemand]

What would be the age range on the draft? 18-30? A lot of twenty somethings aren't physically fit.

One of the problems the British military has is recruits who have spent their lives wearing trainers/sneakers - their feet are notoriously soft because they've never worn proper shoes. A lot are barely functionally literate or numerate.

The UK army also takes in recruits at 16. I know a couple of people who went in at that age.

I was stationed in Germany with the British army. Tough bunch.
They might have soft feet when they go in, but not for long.

Speaking of a "tough bunch", I recently looked up the bio of Tommy Flanagan who had a role in the Gladiator movie, etc.; the guy with the horribly scarred face. Here's an extract:

"The story goes that Flanagan was out at a pub one night having a normal time, and as he was leaving the pub, a group of people attacked him and tried to rob him. You can imagine that Flanagan probably put up a fight, but there were just too many attackers for him to contend with. These attackers slashed his face from ear to ear, leaving him with an injury that was to scar him for the rest of his life. This scar became known as the Glasgow Grin or the Glaswegian Smile.'"

A tough environment. Just how common was this kind of event in Scotland? Maybe Niemand can answer that. Have either of you seen any other examples of the Glasgow Grin?

I've normally heard of it as the Glasgow Smile. Thankfully it isn't very common. Back in the 1930s, there were a lot of razor gangs in Glasgow who used to do that kind of thing... I do have a friend who has had his face slashed but only one side, he was abducted by junkies in a tower block. Such things do go on, but if you keep that kind of company you won't last long. My pal tells folk it is a fencing scar - some folk believe it.

You're more likely to see folk who were breech births than this. I know a few of those. They get born the wrong way round and the forceps do some damage.

My father spent some of his life in Glasgow, and managed to avoid it. I've managed to avoid it too, despite being attacked a few times. I've been threatened with it, never seen it, thank goodness. I don't really want a "Mars Bar" (scar) on my face. However, it can play both ways but this accent can be handy sometimes, people in some places think I'm a lot meaner than I really am.

[Niyr]

The Constitution only allows a "draft" if the homeland is invaded.

[Gadianton Slayer]

What health issues could get you off the hook?

Not getting vaxxed or wearing a mask.

[Gadianton Slayer]

My 20 yr old is unvaxed and he has autoimmune issues with muscle pain/weakness. That’s a pass?

I will not fight these wicked people’s wars.

I will fight them though.

[gkearney]

The Constitution only allows a "draft" if the homeland is invaded.

Please cite the article in the constitution where that is found.

[Niemand]

I suspect that if there ever actual conscription that everyone men and women would be caught up in it.

If women are going to make the argument for equality then they will need to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

Any arguments about women's average physical size relative to men don't apply either.

A lot of modern combat doesn't involve going out into the field as a soldier. You're just as likely to be behind a desk controlling a drone or missile etc on a monitor... that could be in a bunker, an office, on a ship or whatever.

[Niyr]

The Constitution only allows a "draft" if the homeland is invaded.

Please cite the article in the constitution where that is found.

Article I, §8, clause 15 empowers Congress:
“To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions”.


The Militia Act of 1795, and it's replacement, the Militia Act of 1903, states:
"(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and... under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
"(b) The classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia."

I say invasions of the homeland, since foreign military bases are not allowed under the Constitution; only in the States.
Article I, §8, clause 17:
"To... exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;"