Selective Service Compliance Easier Than Ever With Online Registration
– SPONSORED CONTENT –
PRESS RELEASE
Important opportunities such as college loans, driver’s license tied to registration
Registering with Selective Service has always been quick, easy and secure. But in the Internet age the process has become even quicker and easier – and is still completely secure.
Men can register online in minutes at www.sss.gov. There’s no stamp, no forms to fill out by hand, and no need to even leave the comfort of the closest computer lounge. With a few clicks of the mouse, a young man can open doors to a brighter future and fulfill his obligation under the law.
According to Federal law, virtually all men living in the United States must register with Selective Service when they turn 18. Failure to register is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment, though the Justice Department is not currently actively prosecuting men for failure to register. However, the American people – through their elected representatives in Congress and at the state and local levels across the country – have deemed Selective Service registration important enough to link it to numerous important opportunities.
For instance, men who fail to register cannot receive Federal student loans or participate in federally funded job training programs. They are barred from working for the Federal government, and many states, counties and municipalities also require registration for jobs ranging from office worker to fire fighter to law enforcement officer to paramedic.
In addition, most states don’t allow men who are not registered to receive or renew their driver’s license. And immigrant men wishing to become citizens must be registered with Selective Service if they are residents of the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 25, regardless of their immigration status. This includes men who are refugees or are undocumented.
Although men have long been able to register by filling out a simple form at the post office, the online registration process first became available in December 1998. Since then, over a million young men have registered with Selective Service through the Internet. By visiting www.sss.gov, entering their name, address and date of birth, and instantly receiving a Selective Service registration number, young men can ensure they don’t miss out on important opportunities our nation offers.
Beginning at age 17, men can pre-register with Selective Service, and according to the law they must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. But if a man misses that deadline he should still log on and register as soon as possible; once he reaches age 26, he is ineligible to register and therefore potentially permanently barred from opportunities tied to registration.
Registration is the law, but it is also important to the security of our nation. Although the last military draft ended in 1973 – and the unlikely event of a future draft would require the authorization of both houses of Congress and the signature of the President – the mission of the Selective Service System is to maintain a database of all American men between the ages of 18 and 25 who could be called upon in the case of a national emergency.
So if you’re a young man, the next time you’re online take a minute for yourself, your country and your future. Register with Selective Service at www.sss.gov.
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[Photo courtesy Boston University]
