Draft Information Index - Scroll Down or Click for Direct Access
~ CONTACT COUNSELORS
~ INTRODUCTION Draft & Military Alternative
~ THINK ABOUT JOINING the Military
~ I am a CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR to War, What Should I do?
~ REGISTRATION RESISTANCE -- the Selective Service Registration Form...mail notice, or self-registration
~ RESOURCES -- Experienced Draft & GI Rights Organizations
~ ASVAB testing and JROTC, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

INTRODUCTION - To young people considering military service, and the people who love them - For over 30 years members of the RCNV staff have worked with young people who are Conscientious Objectors (COs) to fighting war. Some are making their decision about "draft" registration with the U.S. Dept. of Selective Service; others are enlisted military personnel applying for a Conscientious Objector or other discharges from military service.

At this time any young man 18-25, and residing in the US, must register with, place their names on a list maintained by, the U.S. Selective Service System (SSS). A registration form mailed to you by SSS is NOT a "Draft Notice" and registration with SSS is NOT registration for a Draft. (More about SSS registration) A formal Draft can only be enacted by the U.S. Congress. When Congress enacts a Draft, military recruits are selected by lottery from the SSS list. (What happens when there is a Draft)

Right now there is no Draft! The current military is all volunteer. Nevertheless, three things are certain:

1) If you choose to enlist in ROTC, the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) or the military, know what you are doing -- GET SMART!

2) You CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND AND GET OUT.

If you are in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) a separation letter to the Commander of the recruitment office will get you out. Click here for a letter draft (Microsoft Word file).

Once you're actually serving in the military it's very difficult to make changes, to protest harassment or to leave. In the military you are no longer a civilian living under civilian law. The moment you enlist you are subject to military objectives, policy, discipline, law, courts and imprisonment – very strict, very harsh.

Carefully read the entire military contract before you sign it. For example:

Section 5b of the enlistment agreement allows the military to change your assignment, pay, and benefits any time they want without notice to you and "regardless of provision of this...agreement." That is, recruiters cannot, repeat, CANNOT MAKE PROMISES...even if they are written in the agreement!

In section 10.a you promise to be ENLISTED EIGHT (8!) YEARS. While you may do only do 2-3 years of active duty, you are contracted, and may be called up any time, for eight (8) years! There is a good chance you will have extended combat-type duty. Reserve call-ups support today's wars. to top

Click here to read the enlistment contract for yourself; it is both honest and frightening.

3) IF YOU WANT TO BE A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR, OR EXPECT TO OBTAIN AN EXEMPTION OR DEFERMENT, IT IS IS BEST TO START PREPARING NOW!

The absence of a formal draft is a TRAP. Enactment of a draft will only happen in a crisis. During a crisis there is enormous government and social pressure to enlist. The time provided for CO applications will be very short. The application process will be difficult. Today, without a congressionally enacted Draft, there is no way to know what alternatives will be available for COs. It's always a hassle to collect documentation for a CO application and draft board hearing.

Preparing and documenting a CO application will be difficult in a military crisis; it's worse when a person is in the military and doesn't want to be there. It's a lot easier to start collecting documentation of one's beliefs and actions early. Friends, teachers and family can help. You can start now. (Details below)

You will have questions as you review the material available on this web page. Make notes. No matter what your decision or direction, trained and experienced counselors will provide confidential up-to-date counseling regarding your questions or plans. Contact our 7-Day-A-Week Hot Line: 831.359.0202, or write to resist@rcnv.org
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THINKING ABOUT JOINING THE MILITARY.
Carefully read the ENLISTMENT CONTRACT, p. 2, sections 9&10
Click here for SOME GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK
And here for MORE GOOD QUESTIONS (English & Spanish)
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I AM A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1) Read and study "REGISTRATION & A STRATEGY" immediately below;

2) Contact a trained Draft Alternatives counselor: 7-Day-A-Week Hotline, 831.359-0202, 515 Broadway, Santa Cruz 95060, resist@rcnv.org

3) Scroll down to list of EXPERIENCED ORGANIZATIONS for more information, research & ideas.
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SELECTIVE SERVICE REGISTRATION & A STRATEGY
Currently there is no Draft. A formal Draft must be enacted by the U.S. Congress. Personal situations are diverse. Selective Service law and practice are complex, shifting and uncertain. Of course anyone will have more questions. Get started. Collect questions. Then contact RCNV, or any of the excellent organizations identified on the organization list below.

THE TRAP - The current Selective Service System process is a TRAP!

Any legal male resident between 18 and 26 year of age (including green card holders; excluding student and visitor visas) is required to "register" with selective service (US Post Office has forms). The penalty for not registering is a fine up to $250,000 and up to 5 years in jail!! On the registration there is no option for indicating conscientious objection (CO) to war. After registration there is no additional information – we just have to wait.

Non registration: A large number of young people have not registered. At this time there has been no prosecution of non-registrants. However federal and state-funded college scholarships have been denied to non-registrants. Civil service federal, state and local government jobs are being denied to non-registrants. Some states will not give non-registrants a drivers license.

The old draft system provided for a declaration of exemption, such as "conscientious objector" or "physical disability" to a Draft Board (of local citizens) who determined eligibility soon after registration. Because there is no Draft (therefore no Draft regulations and no Draft Board) there is no way to declare an exemption when registering on the Selective Service list. A fully designed Draft system will only be re-instituted when there is a military crisis and a Draft is re-enacted by Congress and the President.to top

Here's the trap – imagine that a major war is declared and a military draft is quickly started. The social and government PRESSURE to enlist will be enormous. Non-registrants may face stiff fines and jail, or unbearable pressure to enlist. Additionally, there will be pressure to ignore or disregard requests for CO.

Avoide the trap; don't get stuck in the Selective Service registration trap. RCNV recommends registration on the Selective Service list.

Unless an individual is prepared for current (scholarship and job loss, etc) and potential penalties (going to jail and paying heavy fines) it is recommended at this time, that eligible men register with Selective Service -- get on the list. If there is a military draft, then be prepared to document the need for an exemption in the case your name is selected from the SSS list.

Note: If an individual is totally opposed to, and will not participate in any and all government entities supporting military enlistment, such as Selective Service registration, immediately seek experienced counsel from RCNV staff or a national support organizations. A strong motivating belief is needed to endure the severe consequences of non-cooperation. Such consequences may include a heavy fine, jail or emigration.to top

Experience: The strategy identified below is based on peace movement experience with enlistment procedures, draft boards process, government processing, and a little imaginative nonviolent resistance.

The 3-step recommendation below (1. Selective Service registration with protest, 2) Start History File, 3) Know your back-up) helps to prepare the best possible draft board request for CO status. Experience in the peace movement has shown that CO applicants who have documented evidence of a consistent history of opposition to war have a better chance to receive the CO exemption. Early and thorough preparation is worth the effort. It's never to late to prepare to resist war.

NOTE: ALL CO REQUESTS TO THE DRAFT ARE RISKY!! REGARDLESS OF PREPARATION AND ELIGIBILITY, CO STATUS MAY BE DENIED BY AN UNREASONABLE BOARD. MORE DRASTIC OR RISKY ACTIONS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY FORMER VICTIMS OF CO DENIAL SUCH AS TEDIOUS APPEALS, GOING AWOL, IMPRISONMENT OR LEAVING THE COUNTRY. A CO MAY BE REQUIRED TO DO ALTERNATIVE SERVICE, SUCH AS A MENIAL HOSPITAL JOB OR OTHER HUMAN SERVICE JOB. SINCE THERE IS NO FORMAL "DRAFT" AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT DRAFT PROCESS AND EXEMPTIONS. to top

1) REGISTER WITH PROTEST - START THE PROTEST NOW - Going to jail or paying a fine for non-registration is not recommended. The battle is not with an innocuous list, but with a potential Draft Board and its decision – prepare for and target a potential Draft Board. to top

RCNV recommends that eligible young men register or re-register with the Selective Service.

Get a registratioN form. Some post offices still have them; many don't. You can download one at this Selective Service link. Don't use the Selective Service web registration; there is no way to indicate objection to military service.

Complete the form. Then -- using red ink (it shows up and duplicates well in a copy machine) boldly write beliefs (i.e., "I am opposed to war" and "I am a Conscientious Objector to war" and "no war", etc.) in the registration card margins and open spaces. Make 3 copies. (Now you have the original and 3 copies.)

Put the original in an envelope, address the envelope to Selective Service. Go to the post office and send the envelope with a signed Return Receipt (the green one that requires the recipient to return a signed receipt that they got it). When the signed receipt is returned to you, staple it to a copy of your registration card (copy #1). This is your proof that they received your specially decorated protest registration.

Put copy #2 in an envelope addressed to yourself & mail it. When you receive it, do not open it; file it. This is post-mark dated back-up evidence of your original filing with Selective Service. Keep it in case it is needed as evidence in a hearing. to top

[Tip -- As a rule, always get a signed return receipt for ALL government correspondence!]

[Tip -- When you change address always notify the selective service of the change. In the case of a draft it is likely there will be a very limited number of days for a person to submit a formal CO application; you want to get your mailed notice right away.]

Put these documents in your new Protest History File. to top

2) PROTEST HISTORY FILE – START DOCUMENTATION NOW

Tip #1: It is law that CO status may now be based not only on religious belief but also ethical, moral or philosophical belief. It is prior practice that Draft Boards are more likely to approve CO applicants that can document a sustained belief accompanied by behavior consistent with that belief.

Tip #2: CO is about opposing governmental and other institutional violence. When you are asked "Would you commit violence to protect your sister/brother/lover?" declare "The question is irrelevant; I am opposed to government sanctioned institutional violence." Personal belief or behavior opposing other forms of violence may support opposition to institutional violence. However, stay focused on "institutional violence."

Start a file that documents your belief and behavior that opposes institutional and other violence. First step: make a chronology (dates and brief description) of everything in your life pertaining to your belief, from earliest days of awakening belief to the present – school essays, books read, participation in peace (and other) demonstrations, spiritual awakening/conversion (religious, philosophical, vegetarianism, environmentalism), family events, belief-sharing conversations with friends/parents/relatives/teachers, etc. Everything! Let friends help you recall events.

Collect documentation for the chronology. Get signed, dated letters/documents from witnesses. You will need to ask friends, parents, teachers/mentors and relatives for signed letters (which also contain contact info: phone, address) describing and confirming what happened – work, discussions, reading, writing, volunteering for peace organizations, behavior, etc. Find and copy old photos, press articles, videos, drawings, personal ledger, poetry, e-mails, essays, personal letters – anything that dates and confirms beliefs and behavior. to top

3) KNOW YOUR BACKUP:

When a Draft is enacted, CO applicants want to immediately obtain accurate counsel about the unknown, unfolding "changing ground" of Selective Service and Military Draft practices. Know your CO "backup" organization. Wherever you live or move, know the location and contact information of an organization qualified to provide experienced counsel about Selective Service procedures. Start the search for a "backup" using the "EXPERIENCED ORGANIZATIONS" list that starts right here....
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EXPERIENCED ORGANIZATIONS - MORE INFO & RESEARCH

NATIONAL INTERRELIGIOUS SERVICE BOARD FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS (NISBCO) -- Good counsel for those considering enlistment or considering NOT registering with Selective Service. Web page includes a worksheet that closely resembles actual forms to be completed in order to declare CO status. Web page contains more information and a phone number to call for personal counseling.

Get NISBCO's excellent and comprehensive "Basic Draft & Registration Information" packet.

http://www.nisbco.org/
(800) 379-2679
(202) 483-2220
1830 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20009
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CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS (CCCO) - information, counseling and help primarily for persons already in the military.

http://www.objector.org/
GI Hotline: (800) 394-9544 [Important counseling resource]
(510) 465-1617
405 14th St., #205, Oakland, CA 94612
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AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE NATIONAL YOUTH AND MILITARISM PROGRAM - Good information about recruiting, enlistment and life in the military. Web page provides an excellent list of videos and books.

http://www.afsc.org/youthmil.htm
youthmil@afsc.org
(215) 241-7176
1501 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
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PROJECT ON YOUTH AND NON-MILITARY OPPORTUNITIES (YANO) - Based in San Diego, CA, YANO specializes in reaching young people of color and low-income youths who are disproportionately pushed into the military. Request a list of their publications.

Project YANO
Rick Janko
(760) 753-7518
Encinitas, CA 92028
http://www.projectyano.org/ (excellent Spanish/English counter recruitment leaflets)
COMD@comdsd.org (send to: attention Rick Janko)
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COMMITTEE OPPOSED TO MILITARISM & THE DRAFT (COMD) - COMD provides some of the very best up-to-date information about draft legislation, recruitment and military practices. They challenges the institution of the military, its effect on society, its budget, its role abroad and at home, and the racism, sexism and homophobia that are inherent in the armed forces and Selective Service System and fraudulent recruiting practices. COMD activities include legislation tracking, community education, direct action and youth outreach.

http://www.comdsd.org
P.O. Box 15195
San Diego, CA 92175
(760) 753-7518
(619) 265-1369
COMD@comdsd.org

SERVICE MEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE
Gay & Lesbian Counsel & Legal Defense (Help getting out or staying in)
PO Box 65301, Washington DC 20035-5301
(202) 328-3244 or (202) 328-FAIR; Fax (202) 797-1635
http://www.sldn.org/templates/index.html
sldn@sldn.org

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