Janice and Rudy

The following exchange took place, via email, between the Selective Service and myself during finals week this May.

Letter #1
Hello,

I just had a quick question: How do I un-register for the draft?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Dave Frank

Response #1
Dear Sir:

Virtually all young men who are U.S. citizens and immigrant male aliens living in the U.S. (both documented and undocumented) between the ages of 18 through 25 years must register with Selective Service, in accordance with Federal law (per the Military Selective Service Act). Even men with handicaps, missing a limb, blind, etc., are required to register.
Once you register, your Registration becomes an “official” document; you cannot just “unregister” on a whim. In order to “cancel” your Selective Service registration, you must submit proof that you are exempt from the registration requirement. Return the Registration Acknowledgment Card, with the appropriate documentation as proof that you ARE exempt, to the address listed on the card. This documentation will be reviewed, and if any additional information is needed, you will be notified. (Proof would be that you are a non-immigrant residing in the U.S. on a “valid” visa, are of female gender, or were incarcerated from on or before your 18th birthday through age 26.)
So before you consider dismissing the Federal law and registration with the Selective Service System,” it is suggested that you look into the role of Selective Service and consequences of violating the law.
You will discover that the System’s statutory mission protects the rights and beliefs of conscientious objectors, as well as providing manpower to the Armed Forces in a national emergency.
To NOT register with the Selective Service System is a felony! A young man who fails to register mail, if prosecuted and convicted, may face a fine of up to $250,000, a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, or both. The Selective Service does turn over the names of men who fail to register to the Department of Justice. It is then the responsibility of the Department of Justice to determine whether or not to prosecute.

Sincerely,

Janice L. Hughes
Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Selective Service System

Letter #2
Dear Janice,

Thanks for the very thorough response. It was both informative and thought-provoking. However, I don’t think you answered my question, as the kids are saying, “straight up”. I am registered already, so all of the not registering information doesn’t apply to me. Let me put it another way, what would happen if I would, say, “renounce” my registration? If I accepted the consequences, could I actually do that?
Also, you said if I had proof I was a woman I could cancel my registration. Do sex-changes count? Do they have to be professional? I haven’t got one yet or anything, but if it’s a choice between my you-know-what and my life (or existence, I’m not sure what my stance is on the afterlife at this point in my spiritual journey), it’s at least a toss up.
Further, you said, “You will discover that the System’s statutory mission protects the rights and beliefs of conscientious objectors…” Hmmm. I guess you’d have to understand if I was a bit skeptical about that. You know, that whole ignoring a declaration of war thing that’s been going on since WWII.
Finally, I think it’d only be fair to let me unregister since nobody has been indicted for nonregistration since 1986. Oops, I’m not supposed to know that, am I? Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Dave Frank

Response #2
Dear Sir:

I was just trying to inform you of the consequences of “not being registered”, in case you decided to try to “unregister.” Please note the information provided by our Agency’s General Counsel:To research this issue, go to our History/Records page on our Web site and click on the “Military Selective Service Act”. Please note the following: (1) There is no provision to authorize the Selective Service to cancel a valid registration; (2) Presidential Proclamation 4771 requires male citizens born on or after January 1, 1960, who have attained their 18th birthday to register. Thus, your registration was valid because you were born a male after 1960; (3) In the event of a resumption of the draft, males who have had a sex change can file a claim for an exemption from military service, if they receive an order to report for examination or induction; and (4) The penalty for failure to register is up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. A person will also be ineligible for various Federal benefits such as student financial aid, job training, and Federal employment.

Rudy Sanchez
Office of the General Counsel

Letter #3
Hi Rudy,

Thanks for the quick, informative, and concise response. Sorry it’s taken a while for me to get back to you, but I had finals and that gobbled up a lot of my time. I’m sure you understand being you work for the government and all and I know they hire only the best and brightest. Certainly only the most honest, if anything.

Okay, I can’t unregister, per se. I have another idea, however, that would basically have the same effect. I think. Here it is. How about you give me the documentation of my registration and then I’ll destroy it. That’s probably an assload of files, but I’m willing to do the legwork. You can even watch me, unless you get some weird sexual kick out of it. That might make me feel a bit uncomfortable. Yes, yes, yes. I know the penalties for not registering (or would it be re-registering?), but I’m willing to accept them. How about that? Well, think it over.

Thanks a bundle.

Dave Frank