Some rites of passage for Latino males are requirements
*If a young man is old enough to get a regular driver’s license, he’s old enough to register with the Selective Service. It’s a requirement that could affect federal student aid, federal jobs and even immigration proceedings. VL
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Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for U.S. teens. When most American teenagers turn 16 they make a bee-line for their local DMV office to take their test to get their driver’s permit. Then it’s a patient wait until they turn 18 to get the regular license. As recently as 2009, 87 percent of all Americans of driving age had a license. As the Office of Highway Information puts it, “There are 685 drivers for every 1,000 residents.”
What parents, driver education teachers and DMV personnel try to instill in new American drivers is that getting a license is a privilege, not a right, and comes with responsibilities. There’s a responsibility to be alert, to drive safely, to make good driving decisions and to obey the law.
One of the responsibilities that is rarely mentioned but is of utmost importance for young American men is registering with the U.S. Selective Service. Just like having a license is required to drive a car, registering with the U.S. Selective service is required of all men living in the U.S.
Complying with the requirement is very easy. All you have to do is go to SSS.gov and under the tab that says “Registering” click on the link that says “Register Now.” The form is simple and easy to fill out.
Here are some things to keep in mind: almost all men living in the U.S. are required to register, regardless of their residency status; they must register upon turning 18 and have until their 26th birthday to do so; the Selective Service will not share any information provided with any other agency.
And just like driving with no license carries some consequences, there are some serious consequences to keep in mind about not registering. The failure to register could affect their college opportunities because they wouldn’t be able to receive federal Pell education grants. And after they graduate or if they plan to go directly into the workforce, not registering could affect their job options because they won’t be eligible for work with the federal, state and some local governments.
This is important information and it should be shared with all future drivers as well as all men in the U.S. who are between the ages of 18 and 26. If you’re a man between those ages or if you know one, please makes sure to let them know about the Selective Service requirement. Complying with the law to register is often easier than getting a driver’s license.
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[Photo by Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr]
