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Selective Service Selective Service Act of 1940Act of 1940

10 million drafted!10 million drafted!

First peace time draft in US HistoryFirst peace time draft in US History All men ages 21 to 36 were required All men ages 21 to 36 were required

to register for military service (later to register for military service (later 18-44)18-44)

Draft was a lottery based on Draft was a lottery based on birthdaysbirthdays

Length of inductionLength of induction 1 year, then 18 months1 year, then 18 months Eventually- duration of the war + 6 Eventually- duration of the war + 6

monthsmonths

***Local Draft Boards determined ***Local Draft Boards determined classificationsclassifications

Draft cardDraft card

DefermentsDeferments

Excuse from service (ranked 1a to 4)Excuse from service (ranked 1a to 4) Issued to the following:Issued to the following: Jobs deemed ‘essential’ to the war Jobs deemed ‘essential’ to the war

cause (sometimes varied- farmers, cause (sometimes varied- farmers, shipyard workers), ministersshipyard workers), ministers

Fathers (avoided as much as Fathers (avoided as much as possible), family hardshipspossible), family hardships

Physical:Physical: 5 feet, 105 lbs, vision, 16 teeth, no 5 feet, 105 lbs, vision, 16 teeth, no

flat feet!flat feet! Many deferment categories became Many deferment categories became

draft eligible on French invasion draft eligible on French invasion

Conscientious objectorsConscientious objectors A conscientious objector is one who is A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to opposed to

serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral oron the grounds of moral or religious principles. religious principles.

[...][...] Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status

may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest. In general, the man's lifestyle prior to interest. In general, the man's lifestyle prior to making his claim must reflect his current claimsmaking his claim must reflect his current claims

72,000 applied/52,000 got it72,000 applied/52,000 got it

1-A1-AAvailable for unrestricted military Available for unrestricted military service.service.1-A-O1-A-OConscientious objector available available for for noncombatant military military service only. service only.1-C1-CMember of the Armed Forces of the United Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the , or the Public Health Service. . (Enl.)(Enl.) Enlisted. Member who volunteered for service, Enlisted. Member who volunteered for service, (Ind.)(Ind.) Inducted. Member who was conscripted into service, Inducted. Member who was conscripted into service, (Dis.)(Dis.) Discharged. Member Discharged. Member released after completing service. released after completing service. (Sep.)(Sep.) Separated. Member released before Separated. Member released before completing service.completing service.1-D1-DMembers of a reserve component (Members of a reserve component (Reserves or or National Guard), ), students taking military training (students taking military training (ROTC), or accepted ), or accepted Aviation Cadet applicants (1942– applicants (1942–1961).1961).1-D-D1-D-DDeferment for certain members of a reserve component or student taking Deferment for certain members of a reserve component or student taking military training.military training.1-D-E1-D-EExemption of certain members of a reserve component or student Exemption of certain members of a reserve component or student taking military training.taking military training.1-H1-HRegistrant Not Subject to Processing for Induction. Registrant Not Subject to Processing for Induction. Registrant is not subject to processing for induction until a draft is enacted. All current Registrant is not subject to processing for induction until a draft is enacted. All current registrants are classified registrants are classified 1-H1-H until they reach the age of exemption. They then receive until they reach the age of exemption. They then receive the classification of the classification of 5-A5-A..1-O1-OConscientious objector to all military service. A registrant to all military service. A registrant must establish to the satisfaction of the board that his request for exemption from must establish to the satisfaction of the board that his request for exemption from combatant and noncombatant militarycombatant and noncombatant military training and service in the Armed Forces is based training and service in the Armed Forces is based upon moral, ethical or religious beliefs which play a significant role in his life and that his upon moral, ethical or religious beliefs which play a significant role in his life and that his objection to participation in war is not confined to a particular war.objection to participation in war is not confined to a particular war.1-O-S1-O-SConscientious Conscientious objector to all military service (separated). A registrant separated from the Armed objector to all military service (separated). A registrant separated from the Armed Forces due to objection to participation in both combatant and noncombatant training Forces due to objection to participation in both combatant and noncombatant training and service in the Armed Forces. The registrant is still required to serve in alternative and service in the Armed Forces. The registrant is still required to serve in alternative service.service.[38]1-S(H)1-S(H)Student deferred by statute (High SchoolStudent deferred by statute (High School). Induction can be deferred ). Induction can be deferred either until graduation or until reaching the age of 20.either until graduation or until reaching the age of 20.1-S(C)1-S(C)Student deferred by statute Student deferred by statute (College). Induction can be deferred either to the end of the student's current semester if (College). Induction can be deferred either to the end of the student's current semester if an undergraduate or until the end of the academic year if a Senior.an undergraduate or until the end of the academic year if a Senior.1-W1-WConscientious Conscientious objector ordered to perform objector ordered to perform alternative service..1-Y1-YRegistrant available for military Registrant available for military service, but qualified only in case of war or national emergency. Usually given to service, but qualified only in case of war or national emergency. Usually given to registrantsregistrants

with medical conditions that were limiting but not disabling (examples: high blood with medical conditions that were limiting but not disabling (examples: high blood pressure, mild muscular or skeletal injuries or disorders, skin disorders, severe allergies, pressure, mild muscular or skeletal injuries or disorders, skin disorders, severe allergies, etc.). Class was discontinued in December, 1971 and its members were reclassified as 4-etc.). Class was discontinued in December, 1971 and its members were reclassified as 4-F.F.2-A2-ARegistrant deferred because of civilian occupation (non-agricultural).Registrant deferred because of civilian occupation (non-agricultural).2-B2-BRegistrant Registrant deferred because of occupation in a war industry:deferred because of occupation in a war industry: ( (Defense contractor or or reserved occupation).).2-C2-CRegistrant deferred because of agricultural occupation.Registrant deferred because of agricultural occupation.2-2-DDRegistrantRegistrant deferred because of study preparing for the ministry. Defermentdeferred because of study preparing for the ministry. Deferment lasted either lasted either until graduation or until the registrant reached the age of 24. Exemption was created in until graduation or until the registrant reached the age of 24. Exemption was created in December, 1971. Previously considered part of Class 4-D.December, 1971. Previously considered part of Class 4-D.2-S2-SRegistrant deferred because of Registrant deferred because of collegiate study. Deferment lasted either until graduation or until the registrant reached collegiate study. Deferment lasted either until graduation or until the registrant reached the age of 24. Exemption was discontinued in December, 1971.the age of 24. Exemption was discontinued in December, 1971.3-A3-ARegistrant deferred Registrant deferred because of hardship to because of hardship to dependents.dependents.3-A-S3-A-SRegistrant deferred because of hardship to Registrant deferred because of hardship to dependents (Separateddependents (Separated). Current serving member or registrant undergoing induction ). Current serving member or registrant undergoing induction separated from military service due to a change in family status. The registrant's deferment separated from military service due to a change in family status. The registrant's deferment can last no longer than six months, after which they may re-file if the hardship continues to can last no longer than six months, after which they may re-file if the hardship continues to exist.exist.4-A4-ARegistrant who has completed military Registrant who has completed military service.service.4-A-A4-A-ARegistrant who has Registrant who has performed military service for a foreign nation.performed military service for a foreign nation.4-B4-BOfficialOfficial deferred by law. deferred by law.4-C4-CAlien or dual Alien or dual national.national.4-D4-DMinister of religion.Minister of religion.4-E4-EConscientious objector opposed to both combatant and Conscientious objector opposed to both combatant and noncombatant training and service. Alternative service in lieu of induction may still be noncombatant training and service. Alternative service in lieu of induction may still be required.required.4-F4-FRegistrant not acceptable for military service. To be eligible for Class 4-F, a Registrant not acceptable for military service. To be eligible for Class 4-F, a registrant must have been found not qualified for service in the Armed Forces by a Military registrant must have been found not qualified for service in the Armed Forces by a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) under the established physical, mental, or moral Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) under the established physical, mental, or moral standards. standards. The standards of physical fitness that wouldThe standards of physical fitness that would be used in a future draft would be used in a future draft would come from AR 40-501.[39]come from AR 40-501.[39]4-G4-GRegistrant exempted from service because of the death of a Registrant exempted from service because of the death of a parent or sibling while serving in the Armed Forces or whose parent or sibling has Prisoner parent or sibling while serving in the Armed Forces or whose parent or sibling has Prisoner of War or Missing In Action status.of War or Missing In Action status.4-T4-TTreaty alien.Treaty alien.4-W4-WRegistrant or conscientious objector Registrant or conscientious objector who has completed alternative service in lieu of induction.who has completed alternative service in lieu of induction.5-A5-ARegistrant who is over the Registrant who is over the age of liability (26) or if previously deferred (35)age of liability (26) or if previously deferred (35)