Registering for the draft

[Devon Gibbons]

I went to my state's works agency hoping to receive help with interviewing and applying for jobs. Before they evaluate my qualification for these services, I must register for the draft. If I do not I cannot even be evaluated for eligibility for these services. I am 23. I don't want to register for the draft. I thought it was a choice when getting my license at 18 and chose not to register. She told me "you have to" register, and not doing so is breaking the law.

 

Is not registering for the draft illegal? I don't want to be drafted. I could really use expert interviewing help. I may be accepted for their interviewing services and job search help. But it goes against a base of the brain fear of death and against my principle of the NAP. I know it's ironic to some extent, because it is a state subsidized service, but I believe the benefit of help with interviewing will outweigh the costs of money I could waste continuing unemployed, as I am, otherwise unless world war 3 breaks out.

 

 

 

At the end of a spiel of questions she had for my account creation on their agency's website, she told me of their services; I asked her about the intensive one on one help with interviewing. She emphasized it was only for people who really needed it. I was sure I could use the help, and still am. She said, alright, but you'll need to be approved after answering more qualification questions. She looked like she kind of doubted my need, in a mean kind of way, and asked me if I was okay with continuing. I was okay with that. and so I gave her answers to other questions she asked. It got to a point where she said that she just needed to sign me up for selective service to move me on. I was okay with that and then the webpage she was on to register me stopped her, my last name was incorrect on the form. "Shoot" she said. I offered her my other name and she began the form again. As she refilled it, I asked her what "selective service" was and she told me, offhand, the draft. I held her up. I didn't think she should have the authority to register me for the draft on her own computer; first off, it's not me on that computer, second off if we're discussing my need for free-market help, the military is like the opposite venue. It astounded me. She told me I would have to register before they could figuring out if I would be eligible to be eligible for interview help and job search one on one help.

 

Is this a bad route to take? Is it illegal to not register for the draft anyway? Have you had success in your state, working with your state's works agency finding work? I can use their computer stations searching job listing websites, and ask for assistance on applications I am filling out I think, and I can search through books full of job postings that they printed out and put in thick binders but I feel overwhelmed by the people there and I have a computer at home and time alone. I think a different environment might help, especially surrounded by people with similar purposes, but I see the environment also hindering me. A lot of other people applying for jobs are there too but nobody I know, or that I think I can get to know. It feels odd a little. I want mock interviewing help and I want to work one on one with someone. And talk to people who want to help me.

 

Ironically my mom works one on one with people in a similar way but for disabled and impoverished people, for a different organization. She recommend I go here if I didn't want to work with her or my dad on interviewing and job searching. They fundamentally do not care for me which is why I feel I have to use the state workforce agency, also my dad doesn't have experience interviewing people and my mom is fairly new and doesn't even like her job. I have also talked to my older sister about jobs and she had no patience for me or my interests. These people when I went there seemed more interested in finding out what my interests are, but I don't think they can help me unless it is one on one. If I chose to register for the draft and am accepted to their more intensive services, in person interviews would be very helpful for me. From what I am told, I can come in every day they're open if I want to and from what I understand practice with different employee interviewers in this room filled with low walled cubicles. They have a morning class on writing resumes that I can join open to everyone (~50 people).

 

I'd really like the community's help with this..

[algernon]

Yes, it is technically illegal to not register for the draft. Will anything bad happen if you refuse to do so? Probably not.

 

If you need assistance from the state, you will need to comply to the demands, pretty simple. Registering for the draft is not joining the military, and if for some reason a draft was instituted I think the time to decide to not comply would be when actually being drafted, and the registration being less important.

 

I was told at 18 I had to register, and not knowing better I did. That does not mean I will *ever* be in the military, regardless of the situation.

 

I have not looked into the topic in depth, but it's hard to believe there aren't other options in achieving what you're trying to do without using the state. You obviously have the internet, maybe that would be a good place to start.

[Jer]

As I understand it you can register as a conscientious objector where you fulfill the legal registration requirement but say you are morally opposed.

[shirgall]

My vague understanding of the Equal Rights Amendment debate failure recalls some sticky point about the gender orientation of the draft.

[Kurtis]

I went to my state's works agency hoping to receive help with interviewing and applying for jobs. Before they evaluate my qualification for these services, I must register for the draft.

 

Is this a bad route to take?

 

 

Yes.

 

I'm so sorry to hear about your feeling neglected by your parents

It doesn't sound like turning to the state for help is a good solution.

 

Can you explain to me why you are unable to get job interview experience by going to actual job interviews? And surely a Google search will provide formatting and presentation help for creating a resume?

 

Becoming employable is about having value to provide, so can you work on that instead?