Selective Service System
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SSS redirects to here, you may also want the Social Security System
The Selective Service System is the means by which the United States administers military conscription. It entails registering all males over the age of 18 with the system for the purpose of ready information available about potential soldiers in the event of war.
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History
In 1917, after the United States entered World War I, Congress passed the Selective Service Act.
The original Act was allowed to expire in 1947 because it was thought that a sufficient number of volunteers would enlist for the nation's defense. But the number of volunteers was not enough, and a new draft act had to be passed in 1948. Between 1948 and 1967 several draft laws were enacted.
On December 1, 1969, a draft lottery was held.
Current status
Though the United States abandoned conscription in 1973, the Selective Service System remains as a contingency should the measure be reintroduced.
Currently, all male US citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Certain male aliens residing in the US, including those present illegally, are also required to register if they are from 18 to 25 years of age.
Structure and Operation
In the original version, men were selected for service by random selection by number in a lottery. Eligible men between the age 18 and 45 were drafted. Only 2.8 million men out of 24 million registered were called up.
According to these laws, every man had to register with his draft board when he reached the age of 18. The System is an independent agency within the Executive Branch of the federal government.
See also
External link
- Official home page (http://www.sss.gov/)