# Well, it's official. I've been appointed to the local Draft Board. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 22, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335 "2004-07-22T13:30:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [July 22, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/1 "2004-07-22T13:30:37Z")
I received the letter yesterday. They’re called Selective Service Local Boards now, but the purpose is the same. Right now the boards are in standby, for obvious reasons. Let’s all pray they remain that way forever. The appointment had to be vetted through our state’s Democratic governor, and then made by this Republican administration. So I’m feeling a little bipartisan right now. I should get a weekend’s worth of training in the fall. This will teach me how to apply the rules fairly to draftees in the local area. We are the first line of defense for a young man caught up in the system. If he wants to apply for a hardship deferment, or conscientious objector status, we have to evaluate those claims. The appointment is for a portion of a large county in Northern Virginia. These boards have long been filled by volunteers. The only money I’ll ever get from the Selective Service is reimbursement for expenses. But I’ve been looking for some ways, since the end of my Navy enlistment, to continue public service, and this looks like a good place to start. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/2 "2004-07-22T13:37:44Z")
I had no idea selective service boards were still around on a local level, even though currently inactive (mostly.) I guess it stands to reason, but I never thought about it. Frankly, I hope we never have to draft our young people, but If we do, I’m sure you’ll do so fairly. ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/3 "2004-07-22T13:55:13Z")
How did you apply? What was the process? I’m also a Navy vet (1973 -1977) and have often thought about more active ways to contribute. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/4 "2004-07-22T14:16:16Z")
I started here: [http://www4.sss.gov/localboardmembers/bminquiry.asp](http://www4.sss.gov/localboardmembers/bminquiry.asp) After that, I jumped through a few bureaucratic hoops, and was all set. Due to the nature of such processes, though, be prepared for it to take a few months. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/5 "2004-07-22T15:52:52Z")
OK, **Mr. Moto** , gaze into this crystal, and repeat after me: “ **Early Out** is _much_ too old to be drafted. **Early Out** would make a _very_ poor soldier. **Early Out** is _much_ too old to be drafted…” ---
**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:** [July 22, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/6 "2004-07-22T16:01:10Z")
How old are you? You might be right. As to whether you’d be a good soldier or not, those decisions are made at the induction center and in basic training. We just decide whether you have to report for either. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/7 "2004-07-22T16:46:40Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > I received the letter yesterday. :eek: After 35 years, those five words still make me shiver. > [@](#): > > Right now the boards are in standby, for obvious reasons. Let’s all pray they remain that way forever. Right straight to God’s ear, **Mr. Moto**. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/8 "2004-07-22T17:05:33Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > How old are you? You might be right. > > As to whether you’d be a good soldier or not, those decisions are made at the induction center and in basic training. We just decide whether you have to report for either. What is the age cutoff, and in the event of a draft, how choosy are they are far as meeting physical requirements? I ask because I’ve been giving a lot of thought to military service lately. I’m 26, and I’m in good health, if not great shape. I have BS and JD degrees, so I’d consider applying for OTS in the Air Force or Navy, but I’m still not sure if I’d be a good “fit” for the military, or if military life would be a good “fit” for me. Since you’d be overseeing new recruits on the Selective Service Board, what advice could you offer me for now? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/9 "2004-07-22T17:35:53Z")
You’re in the Army now You’re not behind a plow You won’t get rich by digging a ditch You’re in the Army now! ---
**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:** [July 22, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/10 "2004-07-22T17:50:01Z")
For both volunteers and enlistees, it’s the job of an entrance station to determine a person’s actual fitness to serve. The best advice I could give you, **Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , would be to talk to an officer recruiter for the Air Force or Navy. Keep in mind at all times, though, that the needs of the service trump any commitments those recruiters might make to you. The following links might be helpful: > **[Find Careers in the U.S. Navy | Navy.com](https://www.navy.com/careers)** > > Find military career opportunities with options for both full-time service and part-time service. Apply your skills and interests in the U.S. Navy. [http://airforce.com/index\_fr.htm](http://airforce.com/index_fr.htm) As to ages, the services won’t accept enlistments past the age of 34 years, and might be more stringent yet for officer candidates. As for the Selective Service, they’re tighter yet, in the event of a draft: > [@](#): > > [In the event of a draft], a lottery based on birthdays determines the order in which registered men are called up by Selective Service. The first to be called, in a sequence determined by the lottery, will be men whose 20th birthday falls during that year, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. 18-year-olds and those turning 19 would probably not be drafted. This from the Selective Service website. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/11 "2004-07-22T18:11:58Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > As to ages, the services won’t accept enlistments past the age of 34 years, and might be more stringent yet for officer candidates. As for the Selective Service, they’re tighter yet, in the event of a draft: > > > [@](#): > > > > The first to be called, in a sequence determined by the lottery, will be men whose 20th birthday falls during that year, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Whew! I’m safe, unless there are several divisions of The People’s Liberation Army advancing through Ashburn. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/12 "2004-07-22T18:23:57Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > Whew! I’m safe… It should really be pointed out that everyone is “safe” because (despite the hoopla and wild-eyed speculation) there is no draft. Every time it’s suggested, the military chiefs of staff throw up their (figurative) hands and shout (figuratively) “We don’t want a friggin’ draft!”. **Mr Moto** ’s appointment to the draft board is a “just in case there is ever a need to convene one” measure. Oh, and I suppose some sort of congratulations are in order…sorta? Is this anything more than a nice “public service” addition to your resume at this point? ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/13 "2004-07-22T18:31:50Z")
God help us all if they reach 31 and draft me. I’d be more dangerous to our side I think, not cut out for military life and I’d resent being sent against my will. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/14 "2004-07-22T18:40:37Z")
Thanks, **Kilt-wearin’ man**. It’s a bit more than a resume line item, though it’s good for that as well. In short, with twins at home and a third kid on the way, my wife flat out refuses to let me join the Navy Reserve. (I can certainly understand her unease on this score.) So, with this option unavailable, I have to do my part in other ways. Now, I’m already a five year Navy veteran, and I still work for a defense contractor on the Tomahawk project. So it’s not like I’ve shirked my duty in the past, or that I’m not making contributions now. This is just something else I can do. And if, God forbid, we ever activate the draft, we’ll need the boards to make sure it’s applied fairly. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2004, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/15 "2004-07-22T23:42:31Z")
**Early\_Out** Heck, just do what those brave conservative chicken-hawks did during the Vietnam War. **John Ashcroft** said his civilian job was “vital”. (He was teaching undergraduate law in Missouri). **Dick Cheney** said he had “other priorities”. Mr Moto is that a draft deferment ? Watch it. You might find a LOT of potential inductees trying to use that one. **Robert Engler** (former Republican Governor of Michigan) was _ **2 pounds overweight** _ during his physical. And we _know_ he _must_ have tried to pass that. :rolleyes: **John Wayne** said he pleaded, begged, cajoled, etc to be let in the military. A WW2 vet wrote to him saying - getting in is easy. It’s getting out that’s tough !!! Feel free to pounce on this bitter 50-something who remembers just how scary those times were (1960’s) and all the folks that knew the “right” people didn’t go to Vietnam. Hmmmmmmmm I guess I’m just making it up. Must be getting senile in my old age. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/16 "2004-07-23T02:31:11Z")
Yeah, **wolf\_meister** , there were a lot of them. But you’re doing some cherry picking, and forgetting some Republican veterans (and war heroes) like George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, and John McCain. You’re also selective ignoring some chickenhawks on the Democratic side like Bill Clinton. The military was sure busy on his watch. I was there. So lets spread that muck about evenly, if at all. If you go through my posting history, you’ll find I am very skeptical of any veteran’s status litmus test for public service. One of the reasons is to avoid poisonous rhetoric like this. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/17 "2004-07-23T04:46:32Z")
Yes, you are correct **Mr Moto** **Bill Clinton** was _very_ evasive about explaining his draft status and why he \*didn’t \* serve but then he was _going_ to serve and he was involved with ROTC but then he \*wasn’t \* … gee, guess that’s how he earned the name “Slick Willy”. 😃 Here’s a story about **Howard Dean** that didn’t get much publicity (but should have). He got his draft deferment because of back problems. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop him from skiing the slopes of Colorado even _after_ getting that deferment. :rolleyes: I don’t know the political affiliation of actor **Brian Dennehy** but he stretched the truth of his military service. He claimed to be a Vietnam Veteran. He is a Vietnam _era_ veteran but he was stationed in Okinowa. Yes, Mr Moto, I appreciate your calling attention to my one-sided previous posting and hope I have balanced things off to some degree. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/18 "2004-07-23T12:41:06Z")
Fair 'nuff. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/19 "2004-07-23T12:48:23Z")
The enlistment scene from the classic surf/coming of age flick **Big Wednesday** comes to mind. Gary Busey rules. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2004, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335/20 "2004-07-23T13:28:04Z")
Hey **wolf\_meister** , let’s be fair to the celebs, too - not all of them dodged service or exaggerated their time in the military. **Clark Gable** joined the Army Air Corps as a lieutennant, mostly as a morale-building “look, there’s a celebrity among us” sort of thing. He voluntarily flew several combat missions as a waist gunner on heavy bomber missions over Germany - not the sort of thing he was there to do at all, but it certainly helped build morale among the enlisted crewmen. **James Stewart** was a bomber navigator in the Army Air Corps and flew combat missions on a regular basis over occupied Europe. After the war he remained in the Air Force Reserve, finally retiring as a brigadier general. **Ted Williams** was a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps. Although World War II ended before he was posted to a combat unit, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and flew Panther jets on combat missions, including the famous attacks on the bridges at Toko-Ri. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-its-official-ive-been-appointed-to-the-local-draft-board/256335.md?page=2)