Facts About the Draft and Selective Service System

Male-to-female transsexuals in the US who fail to register with the Selective Service System, within 30 days of turning 18 can face $250,000 fines and up to five years in prison.

Some background and statistics about the military draft and the Selective Service System:

CURRENT LAW
Men must register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 -- including disabled men, male-to-female transsexuals, clergymen, and men who conscientiously oppose war. Those who don't can face $250,000 fines and up to five years in prison; they also can be denied financial aid and government jobs.

FUTURE DRAFT
If a draft resumed, 20-year-olds would be the first called up. Draft order would be determined by a lottery of birth dates. If more soldiers were needed, another lottery would be held for 21-year-olds, continuing on through age 25. HISTORY: The first U.S. draft was during the Civil War; some wealthy men were able to pay others to take their place. About 2.8 million men were drafted during World War I, 10.1 million during World War II, 1.5 million during the Korean War, and 1.8 million during the Vietnam War before the draft ended in 1973.

SELECTIVE SERVICE
The Selective Service System, an independent federal agency, was created in 1940. Between 1975 and 1980, men were not required to register. President Carter resumed registration after the former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1980.

OTHER COUNTRIES
Of America's 18 allies in NATO, 10 have a draft: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal and Turkey. Portugal expects to end the draft by next year; Italy by 2005. Israel, not a NATO member, is the only country to draft women.

Sources: Selective Service System, NATO

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.