Okla-homey
9/16/2006, 07:25 AM
Sept 16, 1940 : Franklin Roosevelt approves military draft
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3995/dddddddroosevelthrso5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
66 years ago on this day in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service and Training Act, which requires all male citizens between the ages of 26 and 35 to register for the military draft, beginning on October 16. The act had been passed by Congress 10 days earlier. The Act also established the US Selective Service as a bureau seperate and apart from the War Department. Previously, the draft had always been administered and executed by the military departments. It was also the first American use of compulsory military conscription during peacetime evar.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7406/ddddddddd8638926109305496540sx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
1940 "draft card"
The military draft had ceased after its last use in World War I in 1918 under President Woodrow Wilson
America was not yet involved in the Second World War, but Roosevelt considered it a prudent step to train American men for military service in case the U.S. would have to defend itself against the growing threat of fascist and militarist regimes in Europe and Japan.
At the time, Poland, Holland, Belgium, France and Norway had been invaded by Germany and word had begun to spread of Hitler’s persecution of Jews and other minorities in concentration camps. It appeared that Great Britain would be next on the list of Nazi casualties. From July 1940, Hitler’s Air Force bombarded England and the German navy blockaded the island nation in preparation for a planned invasion.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7496/ddddddddddddthompic22jb5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The Selectice Service Act of 1940 being discussed in committee of the Senate
Roosevelt responded to British distress by selling the country more military equipment and providing increased humanitarian aid. After signing the Selective Service Act, Roosevelt warned,
"America stands at the crossroads of its destiny. Time and distance have been shortened. A few weeks have seen great nations fall. We cannot remain indifferent to the philosophy of force now rampant in the world. We must and will marshal our great potential strength to fend off war from our shores. We must and will prevent our land from becoming a victim of aggression."
Although many Americans preferred to stay out of another conflict in Europe--World War I was still fresh in many minds--there was little resistance to the draft and, in the end, the measure might have been unnecessary. After the Japanese bombed Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, American men flocked to recruitment centers to enlist in the military.
At the end of the war the draft law was allowed to expire, but it was reenacted less than two years later by President Harry Truman to maintain necessary military manpower levels as a result of the Cold War. From 1948 until 1973, during both peacetime and periods of conflict, men were drafted to fill vacancies in the armed forces that could not be filled through voluntary means.
Induction authority expired in 1973, but the Agency remained in existence in a “standby” posture to support the all-volunteer force in case an emergency should make it necessary for Congress to authorize a resumption of inductions.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1759/ddddddddddd180pxselectiveservicesystemlogokv4.png (http://imageshack.us)
Registration was suspended in 1975 and the Agency entered into a “deep standby” posture. In July 1980, as a result of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan and several studies and exercises indicating reduced military readiness, President Jimmy Carter revitalized the Agency and reinstated the registration requirement. Presently, male U.S. citizens, and male immigrants living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. As of 2003, more than 49,442,205 young men had registered with the Selective Service System since registration was resumed.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2456/dddddddddddd2servicefb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Perhaps its worth noting at this point, that since the end of the 19th century, only Democrat administrations have been in office when the draft was activated or draft registration was ordered.
Also interesting, to me at least, no feminist group has ever seriousl seriously assailed the government policy which requires only males to register or be subject to involuntary induction. During our modern history, feminists have attacked every single other gender-based government action on grounds of either Constitutional equal protection of laws arguments or Federal equal opportunity statutes (Title VII, U.S.C.).
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/515/insane7zozw3.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3995/dddddddroosevelthrso5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
66 years ago on this day in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service and Training Act, which requires all male citizens between the ages of 26 and 35 to register for the military draft, beginning on October 16. The act had been passed by Congress 10 days earlier. The Act also established the US Selective Service as a bureau seperate and apart from the War Department. Previously, the draft had always been administered and executed by the military departments. It was also the first American use of compulsory military conscription during peacetime evar.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7406/ddddddddd8638926109305496540sx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
1940 "draft card"
The military draft had ceased after its last use in World War I in 1918 under President Woodrow Wilson
America was not yet involved in the Second World War, but Roosevelt considered it a prudent step to train American men for military service in case the U.S. would have to defend itself against the growing threat of fascist and militarist regimes in Europe and Japan.
At the time, Poland, Holland, Belgium, France and Norway had been invaded by Germany and word had begun to spread of Hitler’s persecution of Jews and other minorities in concentration camps. It appeared that Great Britain would be next on the list of Nazi casualties. From July 1940, Hitler’s Air Force bombarded England and the German navy blockaded the island nation in preparation for a planned invasion.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7496/ddddddddddddthompic22jb5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The Selectice Service Act of 1940 being discussed in committee of the Senate
Roosevelt responded to British distress by selling the country more military equipment and providing increased humanitarian aid. After signing the Selective Service Act, Roosevelt warned,
"America stands at the crossroads of its destiny. Time and distance have been shortened. A few weeks have seen great nations fall. We cannot remain indifferent to the philosophy of force now rampant in the world. We must and will marshal our great potential strength to fend off war from our shores. We must and will prevent our land from becoming a victim of aggression."
Although many Americans preferred to stay out of another conflict in Europe--World War I was still fresh in many minds--there was little resistance to the draft and, in the end, the measure might have been unnecessary. After the Japanese bombed Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, American men flocked to recruitment centers to enlist in the military.
At the end of the war the draft law was allowed to expire, but it was reenacted less than two years later by President Harry Truman to maintain necessary military manpower levels as a result of the Cold War. From 1948 until 1973, during both peacetime and periods of conflict, men were drafted to fill vacancies in the armed forces that could not be filled through voluntary means.
Induction authority expired in 1973, but the Agency remained in existence in a “standby” posture to support the all-volunteer force in case an emergency should make it necessary for Congress to authorize a resumption of inductions.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1759/ddddddddddd180pxselectiveservicesystemlogokv4.png (http://imageshack.us)
Registration was suspended in 1975 and the Agency entered into a “deep standby” posture. In July 1980, as a result of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan and several studies and exercises indicating reduced military readiness, President Jimmy Carter revitalized the Agency and reinstated the registration requirement. Presently, male U.S. citizens, and male immigrants living in the U.S., who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. As of 2003, more than 49,442,205 young men had registered with the Selective Service System since registration was resumed.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2456/dddddddddddd2servicefb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Perhaps its worth noting at this point, that since the end of the 19th century, only Democrat administrations have been in office when the draft was activated or draft registration was ordered.
Also interesting, to me at least, no feminist group has ever seriousl seriously assailed the government policy which requires only males to register or be subject to involuntary induction. During our modern history, feminists have attacked every single other gender-based government action on grounds of either Constitutional equal protection of laws arguments or Federal equal opportunity statutes (Title VII, U.S.C.).
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/515/insane7zozw3.jpg