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The '''Selective Service System''' is the U. S. government agency which operates "the draft," the process for selecting and conscripting citizens into the military. The Selective Service System was created in 1917. The draft itself was suspended in 1973, when the U. S. moved to an "all-volunteer military." However, citizens are still required to register with the system, and the Selective Service System remains in a state of readiness to resume the draft if ordered by Congress and the President.  

The '''Selective Service System''' is the U. S. government agency which operates "the draft," the process for selecting and conscripting citizens into the military, especially the Army. The Selective Service System was created in 1917 when America entered World War I.

For its manpower, because of low pay scales the military relied on a combination of volunteers for the Navy, Marines and Air Force, and the draft plus volunteers for the Army. Every year from 1950 to 1970 the Selective Service system drafted from 100,000 to 300,000 18-year old men for 24 months of active duty in the Army. The peaks came during the [[Korean War]] (525,000 drafted in 1951) and the [[Vietnam War]] (382,000 drafted in 1966). In all Selective Service drafted about 25% of all young men for two-year tours; an even larger number volunteered for three years in the Navy or Air Force, where conditions were better. After active duty, the servicemen were required to join reserve units. Many were not drafted because they did not meet high physical standards, or were fathers or college students. The chances of getting drafted varied dramatically from year to year and place to place in unpredictable fashion. The system not only provided soldiers at low cost, it gave the nation millions of veterans with highly useful technical and organizational skills, along with financial benefits for mortgages, health care and college education.

 

At the end of the Vietnam war in january 1973 President [[Richard Nixon]] suspended the draft in 1973, as the nation moved to an "all-volunteer military." However, male citizens are still required to register with the system, and the Selective Service System remains in a state of readiness to resume the draft if ordered by Congress and the President.  

According to the agency, it is

According to the agency, it is

:an independent federal agency operating with permanent authorization under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.). It is not part of the Department of Defense; however, it exists to serve the emergency manpower needs of the Military by conscripting untrained manpower, or personnel with professional health care skills, if directed by Congress and the President in a national crisis. Its statutory missions also include being ready to administer an alternative service program, in lieu of military service for men classified as conscientious objectors.

:an independent federal agency operating with permanent authorization under the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.). It is not part of the Department of Defense; however, it exists to serve the emergency manpower needs of the Military by conscripting untrained manpower, or personnel with professional health care skills, if directed by Congress and the President in a national crisis. Its statutory missions also include being ready to administer an alternative service program, in lieu of military service for men classified as conscientious objectors.

[[category:United States Government]]

 

[[category:United States Army]]

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:New Deal]]

[[Category:New Deal]]