| |
GiaRenee
BucketHead
PeaNut 508,737
May 2011
Posts: 749
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 3/4/2013 3:20:00 PM
So my son got this letter and it's from "Selective Service". I had him read it to me since I am at work.
It sounds bogus but i went to the website and it's domain is "gov" so now i'm perplexed.
Anyone know of this? They want all kinds of *personal information* and i'm telling him NOT to do anything about it until i get home.
Anyone? | |
|
expoedu1
PeaNut
PeaNut 441,182
October 2009
Posts: 356
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 3:48:31 PM
Did he just turn 18? Or is his 18th birthday coming up? If so, the paperwork is probably for what most people would call the "draft", if there ever is one. It's required of all males in the US once they turn 18, even if you ultimately disqualify due to a serious medical condition. The technical term for the program is Selective Service; draft isn't a popular word. If the address is sss.gov, it's legit.
This is a link to FAQ about how the system works.
http://www.sss.gov/fswho.htm | |
|
*Delphinium Twinkle*
I'm just a pea:)
PeaNut 163,613
August 2004
Posts: 68,139
Layouts: 236
Loc: *Sunny Southern California*
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 4:53:18 PM
Sounds like the draft to me |
|
|
busypea
boring + nerdy
PeaNut 52,817
October 2002
Posts: 25,150
Layouts: 145
Loc: Oregon
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 4:56:11 PM
Wow, that's a hideous website. It looks like it was designed in 1998 and hasn't been changed since. | |
|
ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,558
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 4:56:53 PM
you can register for the selective service online
when a young man turns 18 he has to register
online is easiest
otherwise you can do so at the postoffice
if you feel uneasy just do it at the postoffice
gina | |
|
ginacivey
prey-sniffing bully
PeaNut 32,477
March 2002
Posts: 24,558
Layouts: 32
Loc: Out in the boondocks
| Posted: 3/4/2013 4:56:53 PM
you can register for the selective service online
when a young man turns 18 he has to register
online is easiest
otherwise you can do so at the postoffice
if you feel uneasy just do it at the postoffice
gina | |
|
KRC11
PeaAddict
PeaNut 13,004
March 2001
Posts: 1,546
Layouts: 46
Loc: Texas
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 4:59:01 PM
At 18 years old, your son is required to register for selective service. If the government "drafts" soldiers in the future, they pull from the selective service registrations. |
Karen C
Check out my blogs
http://my-crazy-never-still-life.blogspot.com/
http://littlepaperstudio.blogspot.com;
Surfside, TX bayhouse available for scrapbook retreats
www.vrbo.com/83206
| |
|
|
irishscrappermom8
AncestralPea
PeaNut 220,508
August 2005
Posts: 4,533
Layouts: 52
Loc: IL
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 5:15:10 PM
Selective Service is the draft. You can do it online or also at the post office if I am not mistaken. |
|
|
Maryland
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 87,597
May 2003
Posts: 8,799
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 5:57:43 PM
I'm so sorry that your son has to do this! My daughters will probably have to too by the time they are 18 (it's only fair, I know). Even though it is hopefully something we won't have to worry about, it probably is a scary feeling when you see it.
| |
|
tamhugh
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 12,875
March 2001
Posts: 7,883
Layouts: 11
| Posted: 3/4/2013 6:02:07 PM
My boys filled out the form at the post office and I don't remember it having a ton of questions. If you aren't comfortable about the website, pick up the paper form. All males in the US are required to register with the Selective Service when they turn 18. | |
|
lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,375
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 3/4/2013 7:01:56 PM
Please come back and reassure us that you were just kidding.
You really have never heard of the Selective Service or that boys must register at 18? Your son didn't know about it either? whew |
LUCYG
northern california
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
--Bertrand Russell
 | |
|
|
myshelly
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 471,001
June 2010
Posts: 7,388
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 3/4/2013 7:05:25 PM
Please come back and reassure us that you were just kidding.
You really have never heard of the Selective Service or that boys must register at 18? Your son didn't know about it either? whew
That.
| |
|
JenErin
AncestralPea
PeaNut 186,911
January 2005
Posts: 4,213
Layouts: 23
Loc: British Columbia
| Posted: 3/4/2013 7:12:54 PM
Maybe it's because I'm Canadian but I had never heard of "selective service" before and I am kind of surprised that there actually is such a thing still. You learn something new every day, I guess. |
----------------------------------------------------------
 Jen
"Oh, for the love of puppies!" ~Ned Flanders | |
|
|
SusanArdoin
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 144,056
April 2004
Posts: 2,762
Layouts: 63
Loc: Germantown, MD
| Posted: 3/4/2013 7:14:31 PM
If you're filling out the FAFSA form for college this winter, there is a box to check on that to register for selective service. You won't get any $$ if you don't register, however. It's very easy to do it that way.
We had a parent meeting at our school back in December about the FAFSA and when the counselor went over that part about checking the box for selective service, one parent couldn't understand what selective serivce was or why HER precious baby boy had to register for it.
Susan. |
|
|
*melrose*
PeaFixture
PeaNut 263,952
June 2006
Posts: 3,485
Layouts: 60
Loc: in the land of fruit, nuts, flakes & quakes!
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 7:25:09 PM
|
|
|
SillyRabbit
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 104,457
September 2003
Posts: 2,814
Layouts: 12
Loc: Where The Grass Is Blue
| Posted: 3/4/2013 8:28:49 PM
We just did this with my DS who turned 18 in January. It's legit, and he'll have all kinds of problems if he doesn't register. If you're uncomfortable putting that info on the internet, the circuit clerk's office in your county will register him for you. At least they do in my county (in Ky) because that's how DS's was done. Just go by the office. |
Cindy 
| |
|
|
stefanyb123
1 Pea, 2 Pea, Red Pea, Blue Pea
PeaNut 326,975
July 2007
Posts: 750
Layouts: 23
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 8:53:29 PM
We are in Ky. too, and just got that letter in Jan.for my son who turned 18 in Dec. I actually thought it was spam (junk mail,whatever, lol) but it was legit. I had actually forgot that he was supposed to register. |
| Canon 40d, Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 70-300, Sigma 28-75 | |
|
|
texgirl842
PeaAddict
PeaNut 386,153
August 2008
Posts: 1,413
Layouts: 0
Loc: Exactly where I want to be
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 9:53:06 PM
Please come back and reassure us that you were just kidding.
You really have never heard of the Selective Service or that boys must register at 18? Your son didn't know about it either? whew
This was my thought too. Although, come to think of it I have not seen the PSA spots on TV in years. |
|
|
obliolait
BucketHead
PeaNut 550,788
April 2012
Posts: 840
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 3/4/2013 10:03:41 PM
It is unfair that young men face conscription as the rest of society does little to contribute to active war efforts. Instead, half the country whines about taxes as ill-conceived wars are fought on credit. it's a pretty messed up system. | |
|
scorPEAo
AncestralPea
PeaNut 181,836
December 2004
Posts: 4,980
Layouts: 0
Loc: YouSeeDavis
| Posted: 3/4/2013 10:11:51 PM
Please come back and reassure us that you were just kidding.
You really have never heard of the Selective Service or that boys must register at 18? Your son didn't know about it either? whew
This is what I thought too. I'm from an all girl family, except dad of course, and I have a dd...even I know about the selective service!  |
|
|
GoBucs!
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 16,888
June 2001
Posts: 2,802
Layouts: 8
Loc: CNY
| Posted: 3/4/2013 10:26:38 PM
Two of my sons registered through filling out the FAFSA for college. My middle son did his online. It's easy online. I think you only need name, address, and social security number. |
|
|
writermom1
Thrift Whisperer
PeaNut 114,407
November 2003
Posts: 22,291
Layouts: 66
Loc: At the intersection of Hooterville and Stars Hollow
| Posted: 3/5/2013 6:54:01 AM
I've heard of it but can't believe that in this day and age they still do it - and based on the most sexist reason of gender alone.
|
|
|
ePEAcenter
BucketHead
PeaNut 364,981
February 2008
Posts: 639
Layouts: 2
Loc: Texas Hill Country
| Posted: 3/5/2013 8:37:05 AM
I've heard of it but can't believe that in this day and age they still do it - and based on the most sexist reason of gender alone.
They do it for lots of good reasons; they DON'T do it for half the population based on gender. But based on their website, that looks like it could be getting ready to change. | |
|
*theCakeGirl*
PeaFixture
PeaNut 220
April 1999
Posts: 3,504
Layouts: 148
Loc: Upstate NY
 | Posted: 3/5/2013 8:44:32 AM
Hmmm. I've been a military wife for 18 years and didn't know about "selective service". My husband signed up for the Marine Corps when he was 17 and left for boot camp 3 days after graduation. I came from an all girl family and have three girls myself. So it's NEVER come up or even been talked about in our community. It's not unbelievable that she didn't know.
|
http://www.nomadescollection.com/denisem
| |
|
|
Nightowl scrapper
Intl Assoc of Epic Length Posters - USA Chapter
PeaNut 103,889
August 2003
Posts: 24,760
Layouts: 0
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 3/5/2013 8:49:10 AM
Yes, I've heard of Selective Service. Of course, I grew up during the Vietnam war era.
They have signs all over the place at ds's high school reminding boys to register when they turn 18. And I'm pretty sure the kids learn about it in 9th grade US History class when they spend 6 weeks on the 1960's and 1970's.
Yes, I do think girls should be included.
As for the OP, I do think it odd you don't know what selective service is, but our education system is different in different areas of the country, so who knows what you were taught about this country's very long history of the draft and the selective service system.
It's never a bad idea to look over paperwork requesting personal information from your child and determine if it's legitimate, however, so I don't think you did anything wrong by telling your ds to wait until you get home to look at the request. I also think that spending some time together reading the information on the site, and clicking on the "history and records" tab would be time well spent for both of you to be better informed. |
"Until you put a thought into words, clearly and precisely, it is not a thought at all. It is a kind of fog rolling around inside the skull."
| |
|
|
scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 12,984
Layouts: 0
| |
WannaPea
No Peas for you ! Come back one year!
PeaNut 151,172
June 2004
Posts: 26,834
Layouts: 175
Loc: In my PJ's
| Posted: 3/5/2013 8:55:27 AM
I think that the whole process needs to be revisited. And honestly if it is ever reenacted I dont think it will go well at all. The country is a much different place now, especially after the Vietnam debacle.
Exacly. And not to mention how war-weary the public is at this time. I have lots of feelings on the matter, but I know better than to voice them here, lol. |
Cop's wife - Mom to one
"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." ~ Delos B. McKown
     | |
|
|
scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 12,984
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 3/5/2013 10:03:15 AM
Exacly. And not to mention how war-weary the public is at this time. I have lots of feelings on the matter, but I know better than to voice them here, lol.
LOL, I hear ya. Although I think our thoughts are becoming more of the norm than not lately. The draft would NOT go over well at all these days. |
 
Blessed Be! | |
|
|
scorPEAo
AncestralPea
PeaNut 181,836
December 2004
Posts: 4,980
Layouts: 0
Loc: YouSeeDavis
| Posted: 3/5/2013 10:28:45 AM
Hmmm. I've been a military wife for 18 years and didn't know about "selective service". My husband signed up for the Marine Corps when he was 17 and left for boot camp 3 days after graduation. I came from an all girl family and have three girls myself. So it's NEVER come up or even been talked about in our community. It's not unbelievable that she didn't know.
I still find it hard to believe. Now, maybe you are considerably younger than me, but if you've been married 18 years I doubt it. There wasn't any military in my upbringing either. |
|
|
mebarnet
I am not the Pea you are looking for
PeaNut 434,276
August 2009
Posts: 7,484
Layouts: 8
Loc: Tarpon Springs, Florida
| Posted: 3/5/2013 11:00:26 AM
If I'm not mistaken, Greece and Israel do something similar and some other countries as well besides China and North Korea.
I'm from an all girl family with no experience with the military until much later and I knew about it back then. It was discussed in high school and the boys were all told by their guidance counselor. There is a sign up at my local PO as well. |
Mari - Loving Scrapbook Generation kits and sketches!!!
2013
2012
12x12 double LO - 267 / 7 cards
2011
12x12 207 doubles / 8x8 39 doubles / 3 6x6 Holiday Daily / 20 cards | |
|
|
busypea
boring + nerdy
PeaNut 52,817
October 2002
Posts: 25,150
Layouts: 145
Loc: Oregon
| Posted: 3/5/2013 11:04:34 AM
I'm a woman, born in 1973 so Vietnam era, but too young to know anything about it at the time, with a 4 year old son. I have no direct reason to know anything about Selective Service, but I do. I can't imagine how you could grow up unaware of it. | |
|
peapermint
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 9,321
January 2001
Posts: 8,592
Layouts: 0
Loc: all up in your business
| Posted: 3/5/2013 11:41:12 AM
Now that commercial jingle about registering is going through my head; I think it's from the '80s: "You can go at it the poooost office." Ha! Here it is: YouTube
He can register or he can be a conscientious objector.
ETA:
My husband had a really hard time with this since there is no way to let them know that you have a religious issue with it. He is a pacifist based on his religion and nothing can be said until the draft is enacted. It was a very hard moral struggle for him. But his hands were tied and he had to register.
Here's the info about applying for c/o status: http://www.sss.gov/fsconsobj.htm There's also a movement where parents start building their sons' "c/o files" in case they want or need them when they're old enough to decide for themselves. | |
|
Free~Bird
Honorary Bearcat!
PeaNut 104,551
September 2003
Posts: 9,922
Layouts: 3
Loc: Missouri
| Posted: 3/5/2013 11:51:27 AM
If you've been a pea for more than a year, I'd think you'd know about selective service because this topic comes up at least once a year I swear. I just can't believe ppl would have no idea what that is, especially if you've had a boy for 18 years. |
|
|
lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,375
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 3/5/2013 12:29:07 PM
Hey, all you pacificists who are against the draft: I'm a pacifist, too ... or more specifically, I'm against unnecessary "vanity" wars. And I think one of the best ways to avoid them is to reinstitute the draft.
Don't you think we could have avoided Iraq entirely or at least gotten out a lot faster if young people from all walks of life were being scooped up and sent to the Middle East whether they liked it or not? Instead of us relying on the volunteers who were actually willing to go?
Part of what brought the Vietnam war to an end was the outrage of parents whose sons were being drafted. |
LUCYG
northern california
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
--Bertrand Russell
| |
|
|
Rhondito
MississiPEA
PeaNut 40,147
June 2002
Posts: 23,611
Layouts: 2
Loc: Flowood, Mississippi
| Posted: 3/5/2013 12:41:25 PM
Amen, Lucy!
We are in the midst of our country's longest war, and it is unbelievable that the draft has not been implemented. I've said it for years - if we are going to continue to fight in a war then the burden needs to be carried by all of the country. Not just a few who happened to volunteer. It's not fair for mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, wives and husbands to be deployed repeatedly; to be sent for their third, fourth, fifth.... tour.
And even though I have a 16 1/2 yr old daughter, I think girls should have to register for the draft too. I'd hate it, but it's only fair. |
Rhonda
| |
|
|
lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,375
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 3/5/2013 12:48:09 PM
And I agree with Rhondito. I am actually kind of outraged there's been no draft for the last decade. And yes, my kids have been draftable age, and no, I wouldn't want them to go. |
LUCYG
northern california
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
--Bertrand Russell
| |
|
|
scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 12,984
Layouts: 0
| |
lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,375
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 3/5/2013 12:57:06 PM
Scrappower, there has always been conscientious objector status for those with religious or moral objections to serving. That's a separate issue from instituting a draft to ensure that service is spread evenly over the population, and not just among the poor and the most patriotic.
The mere existence of the draft isn't trampling on your rights if you aren't going to be forced to serve against your beliefs. You aren't winning the argument because it's a straw man argument. |
LUCYG
northern california
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
--Bertrand Russell
| |
|
|
AnonPeaName
PeaNut
PeaNut 570,169
October 2012
Posts: 263
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 3/5/2013 1:03:40 PM
I might be misinformed, but I thought one reason the draft wasn't implemented was due to record high enlistments. A result of the poor job market.
Not making a political statement with economy comment, I thought that was what I had read. And it seems to have played out with kids we know. They have wanted to join but have been delayed to another season, or told a quota has been met.
It still doesn't jibe with repeated deployments, etc. | |
|
scrappower
Allons-y Alonso
PeaNut 174,150
October 2004
Posts: 12,984
Layouts: 0
| |
Peal
Hello, is this thing on?
PeaNut 60,761
January 2003
Posts: 8,484
Layouts: 28
Loc: Who's asking?
| Posted: 3/5/2013 1:58:53 PM
And it seems to have played out with kids we know. They have wanted to join but have been delayed to another season, or told a quota has been met.
It still doesn't jibe with repeated deployments, etc.
The size of the military has been drawing down for years now. They are not allowed to overfill their ranks just because more people want to join up. And it's more cost effective to redeploy soldiers who have already been trained than to spend the time and money to train new recruits. It's a hardship on the troops who redeploy and redeploy, in an era of budget cuts, which way do you think the DOD is going to go?
I think with the way the technology of war is moving a traditional draft would be pretty unlikely short of a full on invasion of our boarders. Especially with the use of drones, fighting is become less boots on the ground and more highly skilled soldiers.
|
Christina
You can't argue with popularity. Well, you could, but you'd be wrong.
My Blog
| |
|
|
Eddie-n-Harley
BucketHead
PeaNut 167,693
September 2004
Posts: 544
Layouts: 64
| Posted: 3/5/2013 3:41:18 PM
I've heard of it but can't believe that in this day and age they still do it - and based on the most sexist reason of gender alone.
I was under the impression that women were not enrolled in the draft because, until recently, they were technically not allowed in frontline combat roles (ie, the infantry). Why draft soldiers you can't use? When the lift on women in combat was officially lifted those few months ago, there was (brief) discussion on whether that meant selective service would be expanded to cover women as well.
If I'm not mistaken, Greece and Israel do something similar and some other countries as well besides China and North Korea.
Israel requires a minimum two-year period of service when you turn 18. Dr. Ruth was a sniper in the Israeli army. Supermodel Bar Raefeli served, too. | |
|
