At the post office, I saw something that caught my eye

justam

I was standing in line to mail some gifts to California. I saw a bunch of pamphlets on the table by the line. Items about using the post office online to save time, etc., etc.,...

Then, I saw this "Men 18-25 years, you can handle this: read it, fill it, mail it, REGISTER. (It's quick, it's easy, it's the law.)"

Considering the fact that my son will be 18 this May, it caught my attention. :shock:

He has to register right after his birthday so that IF there's an emergency, he can be drafted.

It put a damper on my day. What do you think of this? I read the pamphlet and it said that until he is 26 he has to keep the government informed of his address at all times. Within ten days of any move!

Have I just been oblivious to this until my son came of age? I don't think I've ever seen this in the post office before. :geek:

norm

well it's been there for at least 22 years since i had to do it when i turned 18

justam

norm wrote:

well it's been there for at least 22 years since i had to do it when i turned 18

So, I guess it's just that I didn't notice until I needed to! *sigh*

It made my heart hurt to think of something happening to this boy I've put so much effort into. :geek:

youngster

I had to do it. It's called the selective service. I had to do it and I joined the military when I was 18.

Indian Summer

Yup...good ole selective services. You can actually get into some trouble if you don't fill it out.

justam

Indian Summer wrote:

Yup...good ole selective services. You can actually get into some trouble if you don't fill it out.

Yes. I noticed it said if you don't register it's a felony.

81

yup....

mookeywrench

yup I got a registration form and a Mach 3 Gillette razor in the mail on my 18th birthday.

StillHere

Ya that really sux doesn't it? Free country my arse...yeah free as long as u do as ur told.

Don't get me wrong I have all the respect in the world for our young ladies and young men out there doing what they believe is their duty to serve our country...and I send the most powerful good vibes that I can their way every day...BUT>..I was soooooooooo happy when my son was past the so called drafting age and I didn't have to worry about that any longer.

I still worry that the possibility of a draft would not preclude young men older than 26, bc he's not too much older than that...but I try not to dwell on it....it's when I am reminded, like today, that the worry creeps in.

If we have an all volunteer army, so its said, then why are our young men forced to sign up for a potential draft?
Makes me think..and I don't like it at all.

Who Princess

justam wrote:

Have I just been oblivious to this until my son came of age? I don't think I've ever seen this in the post office before. :geek:

Unfortunately I think you've been oblivious. I've noticed the sign at the post office many times over the years. :problem:

Franny

OMG isn't that basically conscription?????

Every day I realise just a lttle more, that Australia really is the Lucky Country. I mean that sort of forced service was gotten rid of after the whole vietnam debarcle....yet another war that no-one ever really won.

That really is sad that a so-called democratic nation tells it's youth that whether they like it or not, if they are called up, they must go.

comebackgirl

Yep and if you don't fill it out you won't be eligible for federal student loans, etc. Tim just got permanent residency this summer and had to sign up for the next year.

songforholly

Black-Corduroy wrote:

OMG isn't that basically conscription?????

Every day I realise just a lttle more, that Australia really is the Lucky Country. I mean that sort of forced service was gotten rid of after the whole vietnam debarcle....yet another war that no-one ever really won.

That really is sad that a so-called democratic nation tells it's youth that whether they like it or not, if they are called up, they must go.

There was something in the news a few nights ago....(here in Melbourne Aus)
My little man is two & my ears pricked up, got me thinking like the OP.
My thoughts were , like hell you could take my boy away, and I would do ANYTHING to stop that happening.
Seeing something like that in the PO would freak me out... especially finding out it has always been that way?

justam

whoprincess wrote:

justam wrote:

Have I just been oblivious to this until my son came of age? I don't think I've ever seen this in the post office before. :geek:

Unfortunately I think you've been oblivious. I've noticed the sign at the post office many times over the years. :problem:

Lol

justam

comebackgirl wrote:

Yep and if you don't fill it out you won't be eligible for federal student loans, etc. Tim just got permanent residency this summer and had to sign up for the next year.

Yes, and I noticed it even said that "male immigrant aliens residing in the US" have to sign up too or they won't be eligible for citizenship. :shock:

Nothingman54

i have a 7 month old and a 2 year old. it would be time to move to canada.

i_lov_it

justam wrote:

I was standing in line to mail some gifts to California. I saw a bunch of pamphlets on the table by the line. Items about using the post office online to save time, etc., etc.,...

Then, I saw this "Men 18-25 years, you can handle this: read it, fill it, mail it, REGISTER. (It's quick, it's easy, it's the law.)"

Considering the fact that my son will be 18 this May, it caught my attention. :shock:

He has to register right after his birthday so that IF there's an emergency, he can be drafted.

It put a damper on my day. What do you think of this? I read the pamphlet and it said that until he is 26 he has to keep the government informed of his address at all times. Within ten days of any move!

Have I just been oblivious to this until my son came of age? I don't think I've ever seen this in the post office before. :geek:

***FREE COUNTRY*** :roll:

Back_Pedal

I'm 17, so I guess I'm going off the grid for 8 years next year.

Nothingman54

Back_Pedal wrote:

I'm 17, so I guess I'm going off the grid for 8 years next year.

ok John Conner

youngster

Nothingman54 wrote:

i have a 7 month old and a 2 year old. it would be time to move to canada.

Better get packing. Don't forget the parka and stocking hat.

aNiMaL

How do people not know about this? :?

I am 37 now, but when I was 18 I had to register, and through 26 I had to inform them every time I moved. Get over it, it's not that big of a deal. We haven't actually had a draft since the 60's.

12345AGNST1

I have a heart condition so that means I wont have to be forced into any bullshit military draft.

CJMST3K

...and where's the women's equality? they need to sign up for this too.

Nothingman54

cropduster82 wrote:

Nothingman54 wrote:

i have a 7 month old and a 2 year old. it would be time to move to canada.

Better get packing. Don't forget the parka and stocking hat.

better get your gun and shoot you some dem deer.

justam

aNiMaL wrote:

How do people not know about this? :?

I am 37 now, but when I was 18 I had to register, and through 26 I had to inform them every time I moved. Get over it, it's not that big of a deal. We haven't actually had a draft since the 60's.

Well, I'm a female and only had sisters. I guess the issue never came up in my family. :?

Now I'm a mom with two boys so I noticed the sign. I guess I didn't realize that even though we haven't had a draft since the 60's (and I DID know that) young men still have to register with the government like this.

youngster

Nothingman54 wrote:

cropduster82 wrote:

Nothingman54 wrote:

i have a 7 month old and a 2 year old. it would be time to move to canada.

Better get packing. Don't forget the parka and stocking hat.

better get your gun and shoot you some dem deer.

I'm from Boston so it would sound more like, "I'm gonna get in my caahh and go shoot some fuckin deeaahh."

comebackgirl

justam wrote:

comebackgirl wrote:

Yep and if you don't fill it out you won't be eligible for federal student loans, etc. Tim just got permanent residency this summer and had to sign up for the next year.

Yes, and I noticed it even said that "male immigrant aliens residing in the US" have to sign up too or they won't be eligible for citizenship. :shock:

apparently he can't vote, but he can go off to war???? :?

justam

comebackgirl wrote:

apparently he can't vote, but he can go off to war???? :?

:geek: