Draft board needs members

Volunteers are needed to bring the local Selective Service board back into operation.

The U.S. military is a volunteer force, but in the event that the draft is reactivated, a five-member citizen Selective Service board would need to be able to respond promptly. The board decides which men will receive deferments, postponements or exemptions from military service based on circumstances or beliefs.

The board covering Yuma and La Paz counties has three openings, putting it into non-operational status. Two of those openings are in Yuma.

To serve on a local board, you must:

• Be 18 or older.

• Be a citizen of the United States and live in the county where the board has jurisdiction.

• Have registered with the Selective Service yourself (men only), except those born from March 29, 1957 through Dec. 31, 1959.

• Not be an employee of any law enforcement organization.

• Not be an active or retired member of the armed forces.

• Not have been convicted of any criminal offense.

Board members undergo an initial five-hour training session and then annual training, in which they review realistic sample cases.

The U.S. discontinued the draft in 1973 but retains Selective Service registration as a contingency plan. With few exceptions, young men in the U.S. must register for Selective Service. Most male citizens and noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, between ages 18 and 25 must register in case a draft is needed. Women do not register but may serve on draft boards.

Visit www.sss.gov/FSlocal.htm to fill out an application to be considered for the Yuma-area draft board.

Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@yumasun.com or 539-6857. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSHillaryDavis or on Twitter at @YSHillaryDavis.