# draft: pentagon making plans for draft **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 20, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276 "2004-10-20T20:56:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/21 "2004-10-22T01:50:34Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > Well, there is a Selective Service System, which I’m a small part of. It does the work of drafting people if there is a deaft, but doesn’t draft people if there is no draft. > > In the interim, it handles Selective Service registration of young men, as a preparedness issue. > > The Selective Service System has been in place since 1948, and registration for the draft has been going on for well over twenty years. > > So yes, there is a difference between the two terms, related as they are. So, do the men 18 or over have to register? ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/22 "2004-10-22T01:55:54Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > The only person talking about a draft these days is Kerry-- using it as a scare tactic. I’ve lost a lot of respect for him since he added this to his stump speech. I will remind you that it was the Republican reps that first proposed the need for a draft earlier this year! And, if you believe Bush won’t consider a draft…did you also read his Daddy’s lips about no new taxes? And, you don’t trust Kerry??? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/23 "2004-10-22T02:05:58Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > So, do the men 18 or over have to register? It is required by law that they do so, yes. Failure to do so can have unpleasant consequences. Federal student aid, citizenship, federal job training and federal jobs are all linked to registration status. Failure to register renders one ineligible for these programs. In addition, many states follow these federal guidelines when it comes to state benefits. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/24 "2004-10-22T02:19:59Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > I will remind you that it was the Republican reps that first proposed the need for a draft earlier this year! As far as I know, the only one who was really talking about a need for a draft was Charlie Rangel, a Democrat. Which Republicans do you mean? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/25 "2004-10-22T02:22:30Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > I will remind you that it was the Republican reps that first proposed the need for a draft earlier this year! Do you mind telling me what you’re referring to? The only draft legislation proposed recently was by Rangel and Hollings, and I think I would have heard about it if either one turned Republican. > [@Jinx](#): > > And, you don’t trust Kerry??? I think he’ll say anything necessary to win. Today, that means coming out against the draft. [Back in May, it meant linking college aid to national service.](http://www.politicsnh.com/archives/pindell/2003/may/5_20.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/26 "2004-10-22T02:52:19Z")
Slipping back to the OP for a moment: **draft: pentagon making plans for draft** There’s a bit of confusion as to why the Medic callup plans were created: [No Need for Medic Draft, Health Affairs Chief Says](http://www.pentagon.gov/news/Oct2004/n10202004_2004102009.html) > [@](#): > > DoD’s top medical official said today there is no need for a contingency plan study on drafting medical personnel. > The Selective Service System is studying various iterations of a draft, but is doing so only because a 1987 law requires it, said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. > … > “There is no need for such a contingency plan,” he said. “The military health system today is ready, capable and flexible, and has an incredible amount of capacity.” Mr. Winkenwerder goes on to say that the law is outdated because of Tricare, and all the newfangled computer technology and stuff we have today. IMHO, he didn’t make a lot of sense. This could be ass-covering, it could be poorly worded truth. ---
**Author:** ![Lynwood\_Slim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Lynwood\_Slim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynwood_Slim)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/27 "2004-10-22T03:12:23Z")
Interesting thread. Just so I get this clear; we already have selective service registration, and it has been going on for 20 years. The only ones who have initiated legislation regarding a draft (actually calling up those registered in selective service) have been Democrats, unless Jinx can provide a credible source. so, Rumsfeld and Bush are being accused of planning a military draft, based on what exactly? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/28 "2004-10-22T05:14:40Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > I will remind you that it was the Republican reps that first proposed the need for a draft earlier this year! Which Republican reps are you referring to, and what legislation did they proposel > [@](#): > > And, if you believe Bush won’t consider a draft…did you also read his Daddy’s lips about no new taxes? What’s your point? Dad reneged on his promise, so junior will, too? You might have just created a new logical fallacy. > [@](#): > > And, you don’t trust Kerry??? Neither candidate is going to push for a draft unless the global situation changes drastically. I don’t think Kerry will ask for a draft, and I don’t think Bush will either. And if, by chance, either one does, Congress won’t pass it. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/29 "2004-10-22T07:23:15Z")
> [@](#): > > Does anybody really expect Congress to pass a draft? > > Really? It would be political suicide for any congressman who votes for it. I would have thought that it would have been political suicide to start a war in a country for reasons that didn’t pan out, but apparently not. Leaders have a way of making things seem the “patriotic” thing to do and then some people will support almost anything. For those of us who have lived half of our lives _with_ a draft, the freedom of _not_ having one is still a charming novelty that can be easily taken away. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2004, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276/30 "2004-10-22T09:57:00Z")
> [@Lynwood Slim](#): > > Interesting thread. > > Just so I get this clear; we already have selective service registration, and it has been going on for 20 years. Yes, we already have SSR and it’s been more than 20 years. I registered in highschool in the 70’s. > [@](#): > > The only ones who have initiated legislation regarding a draft (actually calling up those registered in selective service) have been Democrats, unless Jinx can provide a credible source. I can’t say for sure about this. > [@](#): > > so, Rumsfeld and Bush are being accused of planning a military draft, based on what exactly? Because of a memo that came from the Pentagon that discussed the possibility of “drafting” medics rather than soldiers. Rumsfeld using political jargon redefined the definition of a draft to exclude the memo in question. You know how Clinton said, I did NOT have sex with that woman. Sex by HIS definition not everybody elses. Thus, GWB can say…"There will never be a _draft_ (by Rumsfeld’s definition) and be telling the truth. Especially when caught in another one of his lies. BTW **Jinx and Mr. Moto** we don’t HAVE to look at GHWB’s lies to condemn the son. He has told enough of his own already. Neither candidate is trustworthy IMHO. So, for me it’s a choice bewteen the _Devil_ I already know OR _fear_ of the unknown. Can’t we just write in **Uncle Cecil** and get this thing done right. We could be his cabinet. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-pentagon-making-plans-for-draft/270276.md?page=1)