Selective Service Plans 'Readiness' Military Draft Tests

AP ^ | 12/22/06

[TexKat]

Dec. 22 - The Selective Service System is making plans to test its draft machinery in case Congress and President Bush need it, even though the White House says it doesn't want to bring back the draft.

The agency is planning a comprehensive test -- not run since 1998 -- of its military draft systems, a Selective Service official said.

The test itself would not likely occur until 2009.

Scott Campbell, the service's director for operations and chief information officer, cautioned that the "readiness exercise" does not mean the agency is gearing up to resume the draft.

"We're kind of like a fire extinguisher. We sit on a shelf," Campbell told The Associated Press. "Unless the president and Congress get together and say, 'Turn the machine on' ... we're still on the shelf."

Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson prompted speculation about the draft Thursday when he told reporters in New York that "society would benefit" if the U.S. were to bring back the draft. Later he issued a statement saying he does not support reinstituting a draft.

The administration has for years forcefully opposed bringing back the draft, and the White House said Thursday that policy has not changed and no proposal to reinstate the draft is being considered.

The "readiness exercise" would test the system that randomly chooses draftees by birth date and its network of appeal boards that decide how to deal with conscientious objectors and others who want to delay reporting for duty, Campbell said.

[leadpenny]

I myself see nothing wrong with every able male conscripted to serve his country in some capacity.

What about every able female? Maybe the able females serving in Congress will push to do the right thing if Draft legislation comes up for debate?

[Lijahsbubbe]

This is a good time to start with the illegals that will be given citizenship soon.

[leadpenny]

New message on the SSS site.

http://www.sss.gov/

NO DRAFT ON HORIZON!

Currently there is a flurry of newspaper articles about Selective Service planning to conduct an exercise of its field structure in 2009. However, the public should not be alarmed. No draft for the military is about to be reinstated. Rather, Selective Service is planning to test its policies, plans and procedures as it has done routinely over the years if resources are available. Given the decline in agency funding, this exercise may be postponed again as it has been in the past. As always, Selective Service continues to do its job of being ready to conduct a draft and to manage a program for civilian alternative service for men classified as conscientious objectors when directed by the Nation’s elected officials: the president and Congress.

[OldPossum]

Military protection is fine so long as it's a last resort. I prefer to improve relations with other countries by travel, trade, cultural exchanges, sporting events, the United Nations, etc. Such means are much less expensive than military options. The Republicans' failure to normalize U.S.relations with Cuba is the best counter-example I can think of.

Our enemy, Islamofascists, intends to take over our society and force us to accept Islam. If we resist they intend to kill us. That being the case, you can see that "cultural exchanges, sporting events (now, that's a laugher!)..." are out of the question as a means of defense.

My God, ma'am, do you not understand the nature of the problem? I refer you to look on the Internet under "Neville Chamberlain" to understand how negotiations with such an enemy is out of the question.

As to the impact of the President having combat experience, I refer you to combine "World War II" and "Franklin D. Roosevelt" on the Net. You will find that not having military experience was no obstacle to Franklin. For goodness sakes! Read a little history.

[OldPossum]

Re your post 41, I have no problem with women serving to protect their country. Some, no doubt, would be do themselves proud. I posted "able males" because that is the customary demographic group from which drafts are made.

[leadpenny]

Not only customary, but for the US, it's the law.

Any test I've ever taken says I'm more intuitive than logical, but whatever logic I possess it still defies me.

Addressing just the Army, women are in almost every MOS. They are in combat and they are dying. But still, they are a resource. If the Army were to expand via a draft, it doesn't make sense to me that we would only ask males to fill the positions that women now occupy.

[OldPossum]

Sorry for the over-to-the-top post to you, MurryMom. I realize that you were doing what any good mom would do, making any argument that would be helpful to your son.

Both of us got carried away. I'm sorry for my strong (if that's the word) statements as regards your post.

I do, however, maintain that our country could well be under attack in some form in the next couple decades, as soon as the Islam-supporters are finished with Europe, and that the only way we can combat them is with military power.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Thanks for the ping. Good news is always welcome.

[KittyKares]

This is a good time to start with the illegals that will be given citizenship soon.

What are the chances they will register with Selective Service?