[oscar]

Just a note on registering for Selective Service.

A colleague of mine at work (US Citizen) age 35 applied for a federal student loan recently and was declined. The reason for this was that he had not registered at age 18 for Selective Service. They contacted a lawyer and were advised that there was nothing that could be done to reverse the decision. This triggered some conversation, at work today and another staff member also said he had two sons and only the one boy was registered for Selective Service, but in retreospect was a bad decision as he will also not qualify for a government loan later in life.

So, this is just something for folk to consider when their sons attain age 18.

[Superkruz]

I believe you also cannot naturalise to become a citizen if you failed to register with selective service.

[JoeandKie]

What is a "selective service"?

[Malamute]

JoeandKie, on 06 January 2012 - 01:55 AM, said:

What is a "selective service"?

Selective Service is part of the Federal Government and is part of the Military Service Act. In essence, should the USA require to draft men into service, the selective service agency will administer this. By registering, you are listed on the register of those eligible to be called up/drafted if needed.

All males between the ages of 18 and 25 (whether immigrant or non-immigrant, citizen or not) who are resident in the USA are required to register. You must register within 30 days of turning 18, or on arrival in the USA. You must also update your address and any other details with the agency within 10 days unti age 26, when this is no longer necessary.

Failure to register or otherwise comply with the Military Selective Service Act is upon conviction, punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. In addition, federal and certain state laws require registration as a prerequisite for obtaining student financial aid, job training, government employment, and U.S. naturalization.

Note that women are exempt from this requirement.

[oscar]

Malamute, on 06 January 2012 - 11:04 AM, said:

Failure to register or otherwise comply with the Military Selective Service Act is upon conviction, punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. In addition, federal and certain state laws require registration as a prerequisite for obtaining student financial aid, job training, government employment, and U.S. naturalization.

Strong penalties... but it appears that many locals did not register. Many worry about the Vietnam era and did not want to get called up for the middle east conflict.
Unlike the South African military registration where they use to track all the males in high school. I remember one day when I was in Std 7 The military officials arrived at the school with the guidance teacher and principal callled all the boys of a certain age and rounded us up after assembly and given SADF registration forms. Even in some instances did duplicate registration.While serving my two years army I received a second call up papers after I had been serving for a year already.

Aparently here in The USA the DMV (Department of motor vechiles) gives males who turn 18 their Selective Service registration paperwork, but does not force them to fill it in and there is no follow up.

[Knersus]

According to their site doesn't look like foreign students need to register....

[Malamute]

Knersus, on 08 January 2012 - 12:52 AM, said:

According to their site doesn't look like foreign students need to register....

Well, it depends. If you are on a Green Card, for example, and are studying, you DO have to register. If you are in the USA on a student visa, that is considered a temporary stay, and you DO NOT have to register.