From neomimsy!cs.umd.edu!dtix.dt.navy.mil!darwin.sura.net!spool.mu.edu!nigel.msen.com!yale.edu!cmcl2!panix!not-for-mail Wed Sep  8 14:02:43 EDT 1993
Article: 2130 of alt.visa.us
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From: mingo@panix.com (Charlie Mingo)
Newsgroups: alt.visa.us
Subject: Re: Questions: Selective Service System
Date: 8 Sep 1993 12:18:44 -0400
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC
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References: <1993Sep8.004556.9476@ulysses.att.com>
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In article <1993Sep8.004556.9476@ulysses.att.com>,
Muhammad Basit <mab@ulysses.att.com> wrote:
>I would appreciate if someone knowledgeable could shed some
>light on Selective Service System (USA). What I am looking
>for is some general view of the SSS and in particular the
>following:
>
>	- What is SSS?

It's the agency that administers military conscription (known informally
as "the draft").

>	- Are male US PRs required to register with SS?

Yes, if they're between the ages of 18 and 25

>	  If yes, how to register?

Go to any post office; they have the forms.  It only takes a minute.

>	- I understand the age range 18-25 years. What does
>	  this mean? Is it only for registering?, or also for
>	  being drafted/called for duty? In other words, if you 
>	  registered at age 25, could you be called at age 26?

It is only for registering.  There is no conscription, and hasn't been 
a draft since 1973.  Last time there was a draft, they only drafted 
young men.  In World War II, however, they drafted men in their 40's.

>	- What are the benefits of registering and consequences
>	  of not registering?

Well:

	-- registration is required by law, so you're comitting
		a serious crime if you're not registered.  (It
		is extremely unlikely you would ever be prosecuted 
		for this, though.)

	-- if you try to naturalize, and they notice you should have
		registered and didn't, there will be problems.

	-- you are ineligible for certain student loans if you have
		not registered.


Generally, there is no drawback to registering.  It only takes a second,
and it could save you lots of trouble later.