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

[Egoof]

My bishop is retired military and he told me on Sunday that the first group called up would be ages 18-37. He said that they actually can draft all the way up to age 58 but the old guys would be some of the last and not be foot soldiers.

[Thinker]

...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...

What do you mean by soft feet - flat &/or weak soles?

When I backpacked, walking (with a heavy backpack) a lot, my feet were so soar. But it helped rubbing them with lotion every night… & it made my feet really soft.

It also reminded me of a army quote from “Forest Gump” about the importance of caring for your feet.

[Gadianton Slayer]

my feet were so soar.

Like this?

[larsenb]

My bishop is retired military and he told me on Sunday that the first group called up would be ages 18-37. He said that they actually can draft all the way up to age 58 but the old guys would be some of the last and not be foot soldiers.

The official draft ended in 1971, but Nixon extended it to 1973, at which point the military went to a strictly volunteer method of replenishing its ranks. It would take an act of Congress to reinstitute the draft in the case of a national emergency.

Currently, all males between 18 and 25 are required to be registered for the draft. Penalties are mainly losing gov.-based bennies: From: https://www.usa.gov/selective-service

What Happens If You Don’t Register for Selective Service

If you are required to register and you do not, you will not be eligible for state-based student aid in many states, federal job training, or a federal job. You may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years. If you’re an immigrant to the U.S., you will not be eligible for citizenship.

If you never registered and are being denied federal or state benefits, you may still be able to get them. To do so, you must provide evidence that you did not intentionally avoid registering.

One site covering this subject said that Selective Service registration has not been enforced since 1986.

If I had to do it over again (I was a draftee) and the draft was filling ranks for a foreign war, I would claim conscientious objector status, based on the fact I don't believe in forcing citizens to fight in a foreign war. They should only be eligible to fight against an enemy directly attacking our country. Of course, what constitutes a "direct attack" in our modern world may by somewhat obscure.

This stance is following "Christian just war theory", and is fully supported by the Book of Mormon, in my strongly held view.

[Niemand]

...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...

What do you mean by soft feet - flat &/or weak soles?

When I backpacked, walking (with a heavy backpack) a lot, my feet were so soar. But it helped rubbing them with lotion every night… & it made my feet really soft.

It also reminded me of a army quote from “Forest Gump” about the importance of caring for your feet.

I meant that they get a lot of blisters and corns etc, because they've been wearing soft footwear for so long. Army boots are not kind to your feet unless they've hardened up a bit, especially on the heel. It's not something you'd want to be dealing with after a ten mile march. If you're in a hot climate any kind of sore has the potential to turn nasty very quickly as well.

[Thinker]

my feet were so soar.

Like this?

I like the story of Poseidon - & Hermès gives him a sword & flying shoes for his quest.

It’s about a demigod - like us. Nobody would try to argue that it’s literally true like Athena being born full grown from Zeus’s forehead - but the symbolism is cool. Maybe other scriptures would be better if they were more obviously meant to be taken by the Spirit, not letter, of the law. We do have a talking donkey & unicorns - but they’re often overlooked as literalism is argued.