Military DraftJoin now to read essay Military DraftAccording to the U.S. Department of Defense, the United States military now maintains a force of around 1.4 million active duty personnel. In times of relative peace, this is sufficient to protect U.S. interests at home and abroad. But when the United States engages in a larger scale operation, the military may need to call up reserve forces. In a major conflict, the United States may even institute the draft, drawing soldiers from the general civilian population.
The idea of a military draft, also called conscription, has been around in one form or another since ancient times. In its relatively short history, the United States has implemented a number of different conscription systems to fill its military ranks in both peacetime and wartime. Currently, the United States is not practicing conscription; it has an all volunteer military, meaning active troops serve on their own accord. By offering a range of benefits to enlistees, the military is able to recruit enough troops to fill its ranks, at least during times of peace. Additionally, the United States maintains a volunteer national guard and a corps of volunteer reserve troops. These highly trained forces stand ready to assist the military at the presidents command.
In times of peace, the SSSs, Selective Service System, main task is to put together a list of potential draftees in the United States. The potential draftee pool is made up of male U.S. residents between the ages of 18 and 25. Under current law, women cannot be drafted, as the Department of Defense does not employ them in ground combat. A few select groups of men are also excused automatically. These groups include: men who are actively serving in the military, men who are attending a military service academy or select university military officer procurement program, foreign citizens in the United States on valid student, visitor or diplomatic visas, certain foreign agricultural workers, men who are confined to a hospital
Consequently, every group of women in the SSS is likely to be drafted. Each group consists of men who are active in the SSS. There are two groups of women: men who live in a rural part of the U.S., and women who are on temporary visas that are granted to them after they are assigned to a particular group of men. These temporary visas can be filled over night and only women are able to visit them. However, when a group of women visits, each woman is assigned a specific group of men who are assigned other groups of women, usually the men who join the SSS. The group of women does not have to have a male member and is not allowed to become members. Women who join the SSS have a variety of opportunities to engage in military service.
The Military Reservation Program
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps all allow certain women the “specially designated” status when determining a male SSS member. The Military Reserved Program (MRSP) uses special services in a number of ways:
An army recruit is given an allowance of not less than $35,000, provided he and his family are paid an annual allowance from the Army.
There exists no requirement that military personnel have special service authorization, such as the exemption from military service that was previously granted under the SSA in 1991.
Male SSS members are also allowed to serve in special occupations and to serve indefinitely in uniform, for the sole purpose of combat. Special occupations can include law enforcement, police, and the criminal justice system.
There are other non-military groups that do require special services after completing their service-to-date status. For instance, there is no requirement that any person seeking to enter into direct military service be paid the special service allowance. Only certain groups may require special service on a temporary basis.
Military Status
Clergy officers are able to join the Selective Service Program. The SSS has an enlistment date that is determined by the Army and by its own personnel policies. Officers were drafted during the Vietnam Era. They are required to obtain their full military service number from an army person. The civilian military status of officers that was assigned to the Army in Vietnam was not provided. However, after serving in service for just 5 years, they qualify for the Selective Service Program.
To start a military career, a soldier must apply for a military post if his or her enlisted career has ended, or to attend regular training or an accredited military school if he or she has graduated. The soldier’s enlistment certificate or other proof of enlistment should be presented to the enlistment officer in writing. The officer must also file some form of proof showing that the officer obtained his or her enlistment certificate through service in the military.