Selective Service Under Fire

 

Draft Scars Morality

By Bill James

In the United States when a man reaches the age of eighteen, he makes a choice, one that will effect him the rest of his life. He must choose between registering for the draft, going to jail, or leaving the country.

Many young men now prefer jail or leaving the U.S. over registering for the draft. They are doing this for a variety of reasons. Some select these alternatives for religious reasons, others for political reasons, and many because of a moral objection to the war in Vietnam.

The anti-draft protest started on many college campuses as a result of the Vietnam war protest. The anti-draft movement has scored two fairly recent victories: Nixon's promised draft reform and the removal of General Lewis B. Hershey as director of the Selective Service System..

The draft is a corrupt, and at limes, discriminatory system for forcing young men into an army. Consequently, they must fight a war which they do not want and are strongly opposed to. Each young man must face the draft board which consists of three human beings, all fallible and subject to prejudices.

These are some of the reasons for draft opposition, There are others too, mostly personal . Many of us merely oppose the war in Vietnam and feel that the draft, like the war. is immoral.


Draft Code Needed.

By Cadet Major Steve Kelley

We should keep the present draft system because it supplies the needed manpower necessary to protect this country's heritage. Without this system our country would not reach its full potential. This is proved by our past military history. In colonial days without this method, many lives were lost.

The Selective Service system consists of numerous acts which have changed the basis of the American system. The act of 1917 Created most of the present characteristics. In the act of 1940, "deferment" was the word. The meaning of deferment is when a person does not qualify for the draft. This is the present draft system for today.

The Selective Service system has been called many names by those who fail to see the success and accomplishments which it has given this country.