The Selective Service System
(U.S. Government, "Seal of the United States Selective Service System")
Before going on about the significance of the draft in our history, it is essential that I explain who was and is responsible for the process of selecting the men for the draft. When the Selective Service Act was passed at the start of World War I, the Selective Service System was also established. The Selective Service System is an independent federal agency that has served as a backup system for providing additional manpower to our military in times of need.
During the war, this important system was in charge of the men from the initial registration to getting them to the training camps. In addition, the Selective Service System was responsible for identifying the men in regards to how suitable they were for fighting in the war. They had to take into account each man’s personal situations including family situations, religious objections to war, and even the job they obtained at the time. For the men who appropriately fit the qualifications, the system had to determine the order that they would be called for service and arranged their transportation to the military training camps (Tracey, 2006). Below is an example of a registration card that was required by men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897, to fill out.
During the war, this important system was in charge of the men from the initial registration to getting them to the training camps. In addition, the Selective Service System was responsible for identifying the men in regards to how suitable they were for fighting in the war. They had to take into account each man’s personal situations including family situations, religious objections to war, and even the job they obtained at the time. For the men who appropriately fit the qualifications, the system had to determine the order that they would be called for service and arranged their transportation to the military training camps (Tracey, 2006). Below is an example of a registration card that was required by men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897, to fill out.
As much as the Selective Service System has influenced our country in past times, it also plays just as much of a key role in our society today. Even though a draft is not currently employed, the Selective Service System is still busy at work. It operates as a “massive information-gathering bureaucracy. Still today, when a male turns 18 years old, he is supposed to register with the agency. The system keeps track of all these men and their service numbers for insurance against underestimating the number of servicemen we would be in need of in a future emergency. As displayed on their website, the vision of the Selective Service System it to be “an active partner in the national preparedness community that anticipates and responds to the changing needs of the Nation” (2011 Selective Service System, 2011). The system provides information for civilians about registration info, what happens in a draft, and their overall mission. Click on the button below to access the Selective Service System's official website.
In addition, at times, civilians may apply to become Local Board members of the Selective Service System. These hired civilians play an essential role in our defense system because in event of a formal draft, they would ultimately be deciding which draftees would be fit for service and those who are not. They would also assist the local board by interviewing applicants for Conscientious Objector status if needed of them (Tracey, 2006). Currently the agency is aided by over 11,000 volunteers who are well trained to fulfill their obligations in case a draft were to be reinstated (2011 Selective Service System, 2011). Below is a link to their application page.