If I'm the only male between my father and mother's marriage...would I get drafted for war in the U.S.

iraq51

OK Anthon-gu....

Let's see if we can get you the correct,accurated and referenced information.

To answer your question...bottom line, yes you can be drafted as an only son. Now lets dig a little deeper.

What you are asking about and what some people have provided inaccurate information is in regards to the...Sole Surviving Son and Daughter act initiated in 1948 and amended in 1971. Note that it includes Daughters. I am not certain why that was originally included since women rarely were in combat zones (yes...I recognize the service of our women in uniform especially nurses).

But today it is applicable since there are 2 bills that have been in Congress since 2003 to re-activate the draft. They are HR163 and S89. Both are called the Universal Service Act making all Men and WOMEN ages 18 to 26 eligable to be drafted. Oddly, both bills were introduced by Democrates.

The Sole Surviving Son....act states 3 key points.
1. Requires that Sole Survivors MUST register
2. Sole Survivors CAN be drafted
3. Sole Survivors CAN serve in COMBAT

Now, there are 2 ways to get an exemption from serving in combat...you can still be drafted though.

First, if you are a Sole Survivor you can be exempt from combat only if an immediate family was killed in action, died in the line of duty or later died of injuries received in combat.

Second, Sole Survivors may request a waiver from combat duty (which also means they won't assign [PCS or TDY] him/her to an area near combat ops or where they might be required to fly over an area of combat). Again, they must request the waiver for expemption from combat areas.

And the reason the wavier has to be requested? Because a soldier's primary duty is to protect his; our country and they should not be denied that opportunity.

I hope that helps......

And to Fran M: the Sergeant at Ft. Benning who provided you with the information regarding Sole Survivors. He was wrong...or perhaps he just didn't know all of the regulation. Besides, when I received my commission back in 1976 I was under the same impression as most people....last person and all. But I have 7 male cousins with my last name to carry on the family line.

low_on_ram

Why would you believe otherwise? Yes you would. It is the law in America that 18 yr old male citizens have to file with selective service. If you enjoy the benefits of America, you should be prepared to defend them. If not America is a free country & you can leave at any time.

bradhartel

The law that institutes the next draft, if there ever is one, would determine that. The last law was to register for selective service, in case a draft was ever needed. The only living male was a reason before.

I am in the Air Force and would NOT want draftees unless it was absolutely necessary. Nothing like counting on someone that does not want to be there.

On the other hand, I find it morally repugnant that a grown man that enjoys his freedom and liberty, gets it for free, and from someone else's blood, would be so willing to find a way out of serving his country. It is not about YOU and YOUR feelings. It is about the WHOLE nation and doing what is best for all.

Not everyone gets it, but the 1 in 8,000 of us that does appreciate your support.

lana_sands

Stop crying.. There is not going to be any draft. This week, the US Army recruited it's 80,000th recruit and have met their goals for the year & it only Oct. Jesus, there are lot you on Yahoo who think they are special or something. Show a little guts...

Chris J

If a war for our survival were to start, why wouldn't you step up and fight? I'm older than the average soldier, but if the enemies are coming down my road, I'm pitching in to defend my home land.

Brand X

no special treatment....but since our wars don't require too many people anymore, I wouldn't worry too much.

Fran M

I have one son. The military cannot take your son into service if he is the only son you have. That is because of him being the only male. This was told to me by a Sergeant of the Army

rightwingers

We have a volunteer Army so no you will not be drafted. If we are in a fight for our survival would you not want to savve your own life? Would you rather be a victim?

just pick a branch and join it. that's the best way to get out of being drafted. and dont join the part time military. what you want is to be fully trained and ready if you are called to go, not shot out of boot camp into a gunfight, or received minimal training. i joined the navy, been out for 8 years. i miss it man, do i miss it.

tom_casper_2000

How long you been in a comma?

There is no "Draft" our military is all volunteer. And has been for about 25 yrs.

happy13213

i highly doubt that america would get so desperate for soldiers, that they draft everybody. even if they did, women are aloud to fight now, so it wouldn't matter if you were the only male if your mother and father's marriage.

Gaspode

When I volunteered for the draft (made it for two years instead of three) nothing like that mattered.

If there had been other sons, they could exempt you from serving in the same theater of war in WWII. If you were the only support of an impoverished mother you could be exempt (like George Hamilton! His poor mom only had an income about three times the average when he was exempted). If you were wounded in battle more than once, you could be sent home (Nam), but mainly you go do your duty, even when you know that the politicians pushing the war are in it for profits.

You may but the chance is very slim. They don't usually take the only male child in a family. But if you think the US will be in a fight for it's survival wouldn't you want to do whatever you could to help? Instead of being scared of being drafted enlist that way you can choose the branch you go into. If they would take me I would go but they won't because of my age (51 on Thursday) and I already served 4yrs in the Navy 1973 to 1977.

one glove

i dont think they draft anymore. at least right now. it used to be that if you were the only male that you woulndt be drafted but i dunno things might change. if we were in a war for survival tho i would fight. it would have to be on american soil tho. and i would have to support it.

pqrama

The draft is long gone, replaced by an all volunteer military.

HOOAH! It's an Army Thing

Another example of how political correctness, feminism, et al., has neutered the American male.

j H

If there is a draft again and you qualify for it... Congratulations !

Yes you can me. I was not only the only son, but the ONLY child for my parents.

Harry W

If I was drafted against my will, for a war I did not believe in, simply smoke a doobie. ZERO TOLERANCE for U.S. military, no exceptions if you pop on a urine test. Either that or I'd visit Canada until the war is over, or join a religion that is vehemently against any sort of violence. All those would work.

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