# What does it mean when the Selective Service System conducts a "test"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 24, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468 "2006-12-24T18:08:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/1 "2006-12-24T18:08:37Z")
The Selective Service System is [planning a test](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061222/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/military_draft_5) of the “military draft machinery”. What does that work? How do they test the draft boards ability to deal with conscientious objectors or evaders? Hire actors 😕 ? And if the SSS is supposed to be able to deliver conscripts to Army within 6 months of being told too why does it take them 2 _years_ to plan a test :eek: ?! ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/2 "2006-12-24T18:23:02Z")
This is “routine” insofar as it is done periodically. I remember the last one several years ago, which resulted in much the same hysteria. More fodder for the conspiracy mills. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/3 "2006-12-24T18:29:09Z")
[QUOTE=Common Tater] This is “routine” insofar as it is done periodically. I remember the last one several years ago, which resulted in much the same hysteria. More fodder for the conspiracy mills. [/QUOTE] That doesn’t answer my question. _What_ does a test consist of and _why_ does it take 2 years to plan one? ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/4 "2006-12-24T20:05:11Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] That doesn’t answer my question. _What_ does a test consist of and _why_ does it take 2 years to plan one? [/QUOTE] Run through all the paper work, examine a few practice volunteers, etc. It’s a gov’t. bureaucracy thing, gotta have work for the department. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/5 "2006-12-25T01:12:35Z")
And it takes 2 years, presumably, because they’re not in a rush, so there’s no need to hurry it up and potentially miss things or make mistakes that will be costlier if we ever DO need the draft system. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-the-selective-service-system-conducts-a-test/385468/6 "2006-12-25T01:30:00Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] That doesn’t answer my question. _What_ does a test consist of and _why_ does it take 2 years to plan one? [/QUOTE] _“The Selective Service readiness exercise would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and the network of appeals boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, said Scott Campbell, Selective Service director for operations and chief information officer.”_ Admittedly that’s pretty slim content, but undoubtedly ensuring the appeals boards are fully staffed and meet all the guidelines and regulations would be a cumbersome affair. Heck, two years is lightning speed when it comes to the modern bueauracratic, byzantine nightmare that is the national government.