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How Would a Draft Work?

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Sun Oct 10, 2004 at 05:05:44 AM EST
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Both Bush and Kerry and their running mates now have said there will be no draft during their administration. But the War in Iraq is ongoing, Afghanistan is not settled, Iran and North Korea are beyond the (Bush) horizen, there's also Al Qaida and the Saudis and who knows who else. Just in case unexpected events causes the new President to change his mind and ask Congress to reinstate the draft, we thought it would be helpful to print some information on how it would work.

The good news is you would have 193 days--more than six months-- from the time Congress passes and the President signs a draft bill before you can be inducted. It most likely would begin with Congress restoring the expired Military Selective Service Act. Here's how it goes: [From the October 22, 2001 Atlanta Journal Constitution, article by Bill Hendrick, available on Lexis.com]

HOW A DRAFT WOULD BEGIN
1. DRAFT IS AUTHORIZED
Congress passes and the president signs legislation, which starts a draft.

2. LOTTERY IS HELD
A lottery based on birthdays determines the order in which registered men are called up. The first to be called are men whose 20th birthday is that year, followed, if needed, by those aged 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. 18-year-old and those turning 19 will probably not be drafted.

3. REGISTRANTS ARE EVALUATED
Registrants with low lottery numbers are ordered to report for a physical, mental, and moral evaluation to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once he is notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant has 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement or deferment. (See "Draft Classifications,")

4. INDUCTION NOTICES SENT
Those who pass the military evaluation receive induction orders. An inductee has 10 days to report to a local military entrance processing station for induction.

5. FIRST DRAFTEES ARE INDUCED
According to current plans, the Selective Service System must deliver the first inductees to the military within 193 days from the onset of a crisis.

DRAFT CLASSIFICATIONS
Draft registrants are not currently classified, but in the event of a draft, they would have the opportunity to file for exemptions, deferments and postponements from military service. Here is a list of some classifications:

1-A Available immediately for military service.
1-0 conscientious objector: Draftee is conscientiously opposed to all military training and service. He fulfills his service obligation as a civilian alternative-service worker.
1-A-0 conscientious objector: Draftee is conscientiously opposed to training and military service requiring the use of arms. He fulfills his service obligation in a noncombatant position within the military.
2-D ministerial students.
Draftee is deferred from military service
3-A A hardship deferment:
Draftee is deferred from military service because servic would cause hardship upon his family.
4-C alien or dual national:
Draftee may be exempt from military service.
4-D minister of religion:
Draftee is exempted from military service.
Student: A college student may have his induction postponed until he finished the current semester or, if he is a senior, until the end of the academic year. A high school student may have his induction postponed until he graduates or until he reaches age 20.

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