Hello males!

September 14, 2001 9:44 PM

Hello males! Is your address up to date? Have you even registered?
posted by @homer (37 comments total)

Registered...? Heck, I serve! Which brings up a point I've recently been pondering: are there any other MeFiers who serve in the US military? Just curious...
posted by davidmsc at 10:02 PM on September 14, 2001

if one becomes drafted, would it be illegal to act the fool and try to get kicked out?
posted by mcsweetie at 10:07 PM on September 14, 2001

Yes, it can be. And military law is less forgiving than civilian law.
posted by Steven Den Beste at 10:09 PM on September 14, 2001

just stick your tongue in the recruiter's mouth. you'll be fine.
posted by rebeccablood at 10:11 PM on September 14, 2001

rats. I'll have to cut off a nipple then.
posted by mcsweetie at 10:12 PM on September 14, 2001

just stick your tongue in the recruiter's mouth. you'll be fine.

is that b/c the bad-ass recruiter would bite off your tongue and you'd no longer be fit to serve?

Might be worth it....
posted by mattpfeff at 10:21 PM on September 14, 2001

Do like my friend did, the other day (although not for this reason). Attempt suicide and be on suicide watch. Instant Section Eight for the rest of your life.
(I'm registered, but asthma and bad vision pretty much ensure I won't be called up for combat any time soon.)
posted by darukaru at 10:22 PM on September 14, 2001

Your friend wouldn't happen to be Ol' Dirty Bastard, would he?
posted by Jack Torrance at 10:38 PM on September 14, 2001

I'm on in the Marine Corps, but am on Medical Leave right now with a broken back. I won't be cleared until January either..grrr. Wish i could get out there!
posted by pakelika at 11:03 PM on September 14, 2001 [1 favorite]

I'm registered, but asthma and bad vision pretty much ensure I won't be called up for combat any time soon.

I do not feel like there is much point in me worrying about the draft either, whether I want to go or not. I doubt they would want me. For a variety of reasons.
posted by bargle at 11:08 PM on September 14, 2001

I registered back in 1982 and remember it as one of the first times in my life when it was made clear that being an "adult" is not necessarily all fun and games.

Now that I am older I know why my parents had those moments of distraction when I was growing up. Being an adult is hard.

I am probably 4F physically, but I will probably find a way to use my high-tech skills for the cause, wherever and whenever they are needed.
posted by dewelch at 11:28 PM on September 14, 2001

One week before my 18th birthday, I got a registration form in the mail.

I didn't even know they had my address, seeing as back then my family moved every six months and the DMV therefore was behind by about three.

Kinda freaked me out.
posted by linux at 12:01 AM on September 15, 2001

This is (or at least was) required to be elgible for Federal Student Loans. I seriously doubt anyone will be drafted now, or ever again. Wars are not really fought that way any more, are they? I was of age back at the time of Desert Storm. Being a full time student, neosocialist, bi, basically pacifist, and having an old FBI surveillence record for participating in a Rock Against Reagan punk festival - I figured my chances of being called up were fairly slim.
posted by sixdifferentways at 12:52 AM on September 15, 2001

One week before my 18th birthday, I got a registration form in the mail...Kinda freaked me out.

you know, that would've been my reaction too, if they hadn't also sent me a free mach 3 razor (and accessories) on my 18th birthday as well.
posted by lotsofno at 1:41 AM on September 15, 2001

Whenever I was home on break for my first 3 semesters of college, I'd get some Marine recruiter calling me, all happy and shiny, at 8:30 in the morning. The first times I was polite and indecisive, but during one winter break I really tore into him. I think they might have crossed me off the list :)

Like I could live a life where I wake up at 4 am... Shit, most nights I don't even go to bed before then.
posted by Bernreuther at 2:01 AM on September 15, 2001

Not only am I too old (by a scant few years, thank you), but my name is probably in so many "Pinko Sympathizer" and "Drugs aren't that bad, mmm'kay" databases that typing my name in would cause the computer to explode. I'm sure I'm listed somewhere on some low ranking FBI scrub's "to do" list.

I always wondered why they needed my thumbprint and my signature on the petitions at those NORML rallies and WTO protests.
posted by Optamystic at 3:22 AM on September 15, 2001

Uh, I have bad handwriting.

Luckily, my sister and brother-in-law live in Canada, just in case.
posted by noisemartyr at 3:30 AM on September 15, 2001

Sorry.Your request cannot be processed at this time because we are experiencing technical difficulties. One of our system components is not operational. We are attempting to correct the problem. Please try again.

Oh well. I'm not going back.
posted by dogmatic at 6:50 AM on September 15, 2001

There's something to be said for the idea that serving when called in the United States military is a duty--not something to be avoided at all costs. Especially not for something like this, where our very way of life is being threatened.
posted by dr_emory at 7:28 AM on September 15, 2001

the website I found through google for basic draft info. and protocol is here.
posted by jasonspaceman at 7:46 AM on September 15, 2001

I serve, I'm a Crypto Tech in the Navy. I've been reading the board for a few months, but this is my first post, I don't know how much of a MeFier that actually makes me. I suppose I'm the rare service member who's registered No Party Affiliation, thinks a little socialism might not be too bad a thing and prefers Zinn over Paul Johnson. In any case, even though they might have different views than your average MeFier, servicemen and women are doing a tough job with very little reward so support them as much as you can.
posted by tetsuo at 9:00 AM on September 15, 2001 [1 favorite]

While I haven't got a fully developed line of rhetoric to defend myself on the subject, I can assure y'all that, in the event of a draft, I will be difficult to find south of the Canada border.

And, were I otherwise inclined, I would be very nearly disowned by my loving parents.

I elect not to kill, and not to be killed, and in general not to be particularly involved in either activity on any sort of grand scale. I realize that this conflicts somewhat with the statements on my SS registration papers, but, frankly, I wanted to go to college. Willingness to kill people should not be so directly tied to an interest in higher education. My interest in computer science is in no way an expression of my interest in programming bombs.
posted by cortex at 9:50 AM on September 15, 2001 [1 favorite]

I don't believe that, dr_emory. If our way of life were truly being threatened, don't you think people would volunteer to fight?

My registration is certainly not current. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'm afraid to put my name into a search page run by selective service. I don't want them to remember I exist. But I'm thinking of updating the information: that way if I were actually to be drafted, I'd have a chance to leave the country before they sent police after me.

I flatly refuse to risk my life for such a stupid, ill-thought, petty war of childish vengeance as the United States is currently proposing.

-Mars
posted by Mars Saxman at 10:04 AM on September 15, 2001

Good to know that your getting those planning updates from the Joint Chiefs, Mars.

This whole spectacle is disappointing.
posted by NortonDC at 10:20 AM on September 15, 2001

I ain't shooting anybody for anybody. I'd just as soon shoot myself.
posted by mcsweetie at 10:22 AM on September 15, 2001

In case of a draft, you guys might as well sign up now. :) That way you won't get put into infantry.
posted by pakelika at 10:30 AM on September 15, 2001

I didn't even know they had my address

They get current address information from schools.
posted by jenwells at 11:17 AM on September 15, 2001

"Attempt suicide and be on suicide watch."

"Your friend wouldn't happen to be Ol' Dirty Bastard, would he?"

ODB tried to commit suicide?

And why are women still not considered? I know plenty who would make awesome soldiers - didn't anybody watch Survivor?
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 12:06 PM on September 15, 2001

"I elect not to kill, and not to be killed"

"Hello, God, I just wanted to let you know that I've elected not to be killed. So if I happen to be underneath any large buildings due for catastrophic structural failure, I need you to put it down in the Big Log Book that I'm one of those who've chosen not to be killed. Thanks! Bye!"

..time passes...

"Ah yes, um.. there's been a mistake Mr. St. Peter, um. I shouldn't be here. You see, I elected not to be killed, but it appears that the computer erred and my broken body is now in a morgue on Staten Island. I was wondering if you could correct this bureaucratic mishap and send me back. Yes?"
posted by wenham at 2:41 PM on September 15, 2001

I registered 15 years ago. I've paid taxes for even longer than that. I'm in the book. If they want me, they know where to find me.

And if asked, I will serve. Not because my country is always right, or that this is even a good idea. I would serve because my father and his brothers served in Vietnam, my grandfathers in Korea and the Pacific, my great grandfather in the Kaiser's army. I will not dishonor their service with my cowardice, regardless of the merit of the campaign.
posted by UncleFes at 9:59 PM on September 15, 2001

And if asked, I will serve. Not because my country is always right, or that this is even a good idea. I would serve because my father and his brothers served in Vietnam, my grandfathers in Korea and the Pacific, my great grandfather in the Kaiser's army. I will not dishonor their service with my cowardice, regardless of the merit of the campaign.

I always love your insight Uncle. Really.

But a little Eric Hoffer came to mind when I read that.
posted by crasspastor at 10:04 PM on September 15, 2001

And if asked, I will serve. Not because my country is always right, or that this is even a good idea. I would serve because my father and his brothers served in Vietnam, my grandfathers in Korea and the Pacific, my great grandfather in the Kaiser's army. I will not dishonor their service with my cowardice, regardless of the merit of the campaign.

I always love your insight Uncle. Really.

But a little Eric Hoffer came to mind when I read that.
posted by crasspastor at 10:05 PM on September 15, 2001

UncleFes, your heart is in the right place, but I have other ideas about the location of your head.
posted by Optamystic at 10:24 PM on September 15, 2001

I ain't shooting anybody for anybody. I'd just as soon shoot myself.
Just to set the record straight, that's not all we do..in fact the only gun I've ever fired was a laser simulator. I'm more likely to assume command of the Love Boat than go into combat...
posted by tetsuo at 12:06 AM on September 16, 2001

Sorry, what are you talking about, NortonDC?

-Mars
posted by Mars Saxman at 11:27 AM on September 16, 2001

I flatly refuse to risk my life for such a stupid, ill-thought, petty war of childish vengeance as the United States is currently proposing.

I've heard no specific proposals. Got something to share with us, Mars?

Beyond that, my disppointment lies with seeing so many people that seem to value nothing enough to endure personal risk for its protection.
posted by NortonDC at 5:41 PM on September 16, 2001

For those of you who are worried about the draft, this comes from a friend of mine who's a Marine sergeant:

Q: what is the maximum age for draft eligibility?

Age is dependant on the national need. If WWIII starts and drags on, the limit could reach well into the late 40s or even early 50s, though direct combat is not an option at that age.

Realistically, it would go as:
All active duty military = 1.4 million
All active Reservist = 1.3 million
All Inactive reservist (people who recently got off active duty but are not in the reserves= Millions
All 18-24 non college age men non married [this is the draft as we know it. -UF]
All 18- 30 men married or in college
Any one else that has a heartbeat.

So as for the reinstatment of the draft? Military thinks not too likely.
posted by UncleFes at 8:35 AM on September 17, 2001