I have two draft age sons

[maxsmom]

We are trying to decide if it's better to enlist in the branch of choice now, or wait to be drafted. Well, we know that NEITHER is better, but I'm curious for the opinions of others. Please advise.

[Sandpiper]

1. Work on getting them Conscientious Objector Status

Here's all the information you need.

http://www.objector.org/

[MassLiberal]

35. thanks for this info

passing it around to all my friends with teenage sons

[2Design]

2. wait to see if they initiate draft - then make your decision

right now navy is the safest but may not want recruits

army is where they are trying to shuffle everyone

actually even coast guard may be safer

not marine, not army and not air force - all of them are involved in the killing

[haele]

43. Coast Guard may not be as safe as some people think...

They have and are still sending Coast Guard into the Persian Gulf as patrol and boarding parties under US Navy control. The Coast Guard has already lost some people in this conflict.

I'm just posting this to clear up some misconseptions. All service is dangeous in times of war.

Haele

[2Design]

55. out 5 branches of service - coast guard is the most safe

the question was which one was the safest - when you are in a job where they kill people and you carry guns - getting killed or killing are likely

the coast guard is the least likly
if you are in the army - you can kiss your donkey good bye

[Shoeempress]

3. ENLIST? Are you insane? That way you can be sure they will be sent to

Ira. Can they go to school in Europe for a few years? Can you get a hatchet and cut off their big toes? What ever they do, don't have them enlist unless they really want to go Iraq, cuz they will be sent.

[CornField]

4. I would wait... you'll hear the noise coming before it hits

I honestly don't think they'll begin with a draft for combat troops. They'll need to package it and sell it to the nation -- which will be a hard sell. I think they'll start with a special skills draft (IT, linguists, etc.) and promise to keep those individuals state-side, at least at first. I'm thinking the medical draft will follow closely behind and those folks will go overseas, but there will be a promise not to place them on the front lines.

After that, I'm afraid, all bets will be off. It will be difficult to dismantle the draft machine from there.

[rockymountaindem]

5. I'd hold off on that.

First of all, there may not be a draft. Secondly, if there is, you will know your odds of being drafted based on your draft number before you actually get drafted. If you have a low number (like 5), then I'd enlist in a different branch provided that you have the test scores and physical abilities to join. If you have a high number (like 340), then you don't have to worry. They'll never get around to you.

I just became draft age a couple days ago, myself.

[maveric]

6. I have a 22 and an 18 yr old sons.

My 18 yr old is planning on joining the Navy after he drops 50 lbs. My oldest is reluctant to enlist and is hoping that there is no draft.
I also have a 13 yr old son and hope and pray that this war is over and done with by the time he is 18.

[bullimiami]

11. tell the 18yo to gain another 50.

forget that. it is one thing to protect our country another completely to be a pawn in the ambitions of satanic monsters.

[UCLA Dem]

7. I would wait.

I know there's not much to *'s word, but he has said on record that there will be no draft. The only reason I think they have a good chance of sticking to this is repukes seem to feel they absolustely must have a repuke president. They don't want to loose power and if they called up a draft they will be booted out for sure next election cycle.

I wouldn't enlist, until they call a draft, and then I might consider volunteering (to avoid combat duty) or applying for CO status.

I have a husband who is 22 and many close friends who are in their early 20's, so I know how you feel.

[NamVetsWeeLass]

8. I would never say this, but considering that this war is about oil

You hold onto those boys, with everything in your power. Too many have died so Shrub can drive his SUV, the time is over for being in Iraq, the time is over to have our young people fighting and dying in Iraq cause Shrubya wanted to finish the war that Poppy didn't. My Dad, when faced with either being drafted for Vietnam (despite a reportedly high number) or signing up, He signed up and he went. He was Air Cav. He came home and was never the same again. I lost him 11 years after his return, He was never able to shake the war. I don't ever want to see another American have to go through what I have without him. I don't want another American Mother have to go through what my Grandmom did after she lost Dad. EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER!
From one Mom to another.

[UCLA Dem]

12. Same story for my dad. He flew helicopters.

Vietnam was way before I was born, but I still see its effects on my dad today. Sometimes I see him watch the news and he get tears in his eyes.

[NamVetsWeeLass]

21. My Dad May have flown with yours.... Dad was

The Radio Guy. He died in 79, By his own hand. He couldn't get over it, the Gods know I never will. I have seen vets from Nam with PTSD so bad you didn't dare walk up behind them and say their name, they would either Hit the deck, or turn with fists raised. (I have had both happen to me, I learned to walk LOUDLY) These guys got shit on and shoved in it from the get go, and now, parts of this country are entirely blinded to it. Kerry Served, while Dumbya was too busy to get the coke spoon out of his nose to show up for GUARD DUTY! And Cheney? Where was Uncle Dick??? He didn't want to go to Nam. John? He signed up! He requested Swift Boats! He took Schrapnel! The idiot "majority" of this country needs this pissed off half Italian Half Scots lass to take them out behind the woodshed and SHOW THEM WHAT PAIN IS ABOUT! I haven't had a Dad for 25 years so BUSH AND CHENEY could sit on their asses and do NOTHING then and Lead our country into war NOW????? Then the more everyone looks the more it looks like they rigged the whole fucking thing!!! I am so screwed up over all of this, I am sitting here fighting tears of anger and tears of pain. What does Dumbya know of Pain? His Dad is alive! :cry:

[Wind Dancer]

24. I am so sorry, you must miss him terribly.

Vietnam took its toll on so many young men and women, it still does. My closest friend became a heroin addict while serving and suffers PTSD now, several of my family members came home haunted, as well. They have never recovered.

The pain is only increased with these chicken-hawks occupying the WH illegally and starting endless wars for profit. God help us.



:hug:

[maxsolomon]

9. are they stupid?

what's wrong with college?

don't offer to be brainwashed into the service of an empire until you have to! keee-rist almighty!

[maxsmom]

19. excuse me, but

no they're not stupid and they are in college. But the new rules says that if a draft occurs you'll only be allowed to finish out the semester you're in.

[bullimiami]

10. no f(*&ing way.

i have a 19 yo son. cannon fodder? forget it. bush can send his damn daughters and jeb can send jorge p.

[Pallas180]

15. Panama and Costa Rica have cheap living for an American ex pat -

If I had sons I'd get them the hell out of this country...and don't leave a forwarding address.

I'll bet on Jan announcement of draft, and it'll start in Feb.

Oh, and PS - it's not just sons...they have decided to put women in
combat...not just driving etc, but shooting.

I assume Barbara and Jenna are volunteering, but why should they
" bother their beautiful minds with such things" - Barbara Bush

[Miss Authoritiva]

Our ever helpful government has this to say.

Check out the government's Selective Service site on what happens during a draft. I think we're all a bit rusty on this. The SSS site is a bit coy about whether any future draft would apply to women as well, but what would you expect.

[sherilocks]

13. My cousin enlisted in the Marines

right after the chimp landed on the aircraft carrier declaring major operations over. Now my cousin is in Iraq. His grandmother just wrote and told me she hasn't heard from him. As long as * reigns, I would do anything I could to keep my kids out of the service.

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. If the draft will include the ages of 18 to 34, I have two draft age sons

My oldest son is 32 and he served in the CA. Nat'l Guard and the US Army for 7 years and my youngest son is 27. My oldest son is probably safe although he has extensive computer knowledge, so maybe not. My youngest son is more likely to be drafted. :cry: I won't advise him to enlist in any branch of the service and in fact I will do whatever it takes to make sure he won't be drafted, if it comes to that. My suggestion for you would be, to do the same.

[L84TEA]

16. Tell them to say they are GAY!!

:evilgrin:

[tsuki]

27. Right On!

Tell....

[Turn CO Blue]

17. My son turns 20 in two weeks...

and those arguments have crossed my mind, as well.

I am a little ignorant on this subject, but my son would likely be eligible to be an officer or perhaps choose his assignment (he is chasing a double-major in college on full scholarship - majoring in both physics and chemical-engineering) because he is a total whiz-kid, especially in math and science.

But I have understood the arguments for this war, and when he was growing up, whenever we saw recruiting materials or commercials - I told him he had a differenct future and advised him to try to discern the macho/glamour hype of life in the military. I had him watch Saving Private Ryan and Apocalypse Now. Not pretty.

I do want to support the troops over there in Iraq (and the world over) -- I can't imagine how terrible it must be to be shot at and to have to shoot or bomb people. The fear... The guilt... Some are those kids chose that career, some enlisted after the war -- but some of them say that this is not what that got in for.

I know I don't want any of that for my son. How selfish we all become when it's our own precious child...but I feel like I would have a total freak-out and try to sneak him off to Mexico (where we have some distant family).

He did advise me that if it came down to a draft letter or volunteering -- either one would be HIS decision, and I will have to respect that (kind of a reversal of "my body, my choice".) He doesn't agree with this war in the slightest, but he doesn't want to shirk his duty either or be seen as a coward.

[Ducks In A Row]

18. you mean you have two "gay" draft age sons

wink wink




if they do enlist, I hear Air Force is the safest as long as you aren't a pilot.

Navy might be safe because you don't sail ships in the desert.


(oops, meant this to be response to original message, not #17)

[Turn CO Blue]

31. Oops - a little editing

I meant to say -- I have NEVER really understood the arguments for this war.

[nicktom]

57. Thanks for your post,

I can really relate to your feelings. I also have a son who turns 20 in a few weeks. I also have another who turns 17 in a few months.

They have both told me that they hope the draft never happens, they really do not want to have to consider what options they would have to choose if it were to happen. But they both said they would go if asked.

Up until this point in time I never thought I would be in the position of having to worry about it, but now I am not so sure. If it were up to me (which it isn't) I would do everything in my power to stop them.

I want to support my homeland, but not for the reasons this * president has and continues to cost so many American and O so many others lives.

This crap has got to stop, and now.

This thread struck home.

[Turn CO Blue]

20. I will also add

that I can't think of anything that would so TOTALLY ignite the progressive opposition (and the conservative mothers) more than trying to reinstate the draft...

They don't want Repub mothers marching against them...it would send the wrong shake-up message to their base of primarily older voters.

I have a small hope that not even THIS dumbass administration can be that dumb...otherwise it would totally trash the Repub hopes in 2008.

[rockymountaindem]

22. Hey Turn CO Blue, welcome to DU!

It looks like you and I are at work on the same project! Our gains in the legislature are encouraging, at least.

Anyway, about your son being an officer. During WWII (I'm a WWII buff), anyone with college experience generally got to be an officer. However, back in those days only 10% of the population had any college experience at all. Today it's over 25%, and almost all officers in the military have college degrees either from ROTC or a service academy. I don't know for sure if you'd get a comission just from being in college like people did during WWII. You'd probably have to score well on your ASVAB once you get drafted.

I've wondered about this myself, since I'm a 18 year old college student pursuing a double major in history and international relations.

[Turn CO Blue]

34. Thanks - I'm already like totally obsessed

I am sure we'll meet on the campaigns and protests coming up.

I've been reading DU and dailykos for weeks, but neither site would let me register until recently. I have gotten so political lately (as have my kids!)

I will tell you as a mom and liberal -- don't let this political energy you have now fade...or else the boogeymen will take over (no fairytale, that.)

I can't PM yet, I don't believe. Too new.

[rockymountaindem]

38. Thanks!

I don't know about meeting on the campaign trail, though. I live in Canada most of the year. But I'll be back occationally and I'll do what I can to help out the good guys.

I'm curious about who's going to run for governor on both sides in 2006. Someone here pointed out that Mike Miles probably would have made a better Senator while Salazar would have made a better Governor. I can see her line of reasoning, but we get what we get. Senator Salazar is a hell of a lot better than Senator Coors (oy). I like Salazar in either position to be sure. He's well qualified and a great Dem. I hope his tenure in the Senate is long and productive.

Perhaps Wellington Webb will run for Gov, or Strickland or that legislator guy from north Denver. I'll support whoever.

Maybe Joel Hefley will run for the GOP so at least we can get him the hell out of District 5 for a change. "10 years" my ass, Hefley!

[Turn CO Blue]

53. Maybe Udall or Matsunaka

is what Colorado Luis is saying on his site. I also hear that Denver Mayor Hickenlooper might throw his hat in...I didn't realize that he is a Democrat.

[getoffmytrain]

40. To be a

commissioned officer in the USofA military one must have at least a degree from a four year college. I think you're saying the same thing.

[rockymountaindem]

47. I think they still award battlefield comissions.

And I'd be willing to bet that in a draft they'd have to relax the criteria somewhat.

[getoffmytrain]

49. well...

of course to be a NCO (non-commissioned officer) one does not need a college degree. Battlefield promotions are not as common as they use to be as the military noq follows a fairly rigid structure for promotion laregly based upon time in the service. Currently, the official position of the US military is that all commissioned officers must possess a college degree... you are correct, a draft will certainly change how the military operates.

[Karenina]

23. Lookee heah...

The citizens of America MUST prevent the EC certification of THIS FRAUDULENT VOTE. This the THIRD ONE. 2004! Otherwise all your ruminations about '06 and '08 are nothing but a short stream of piss off a pier during a Cat 6 hurricane.

[L84TEA]

28. I tell ya I think if it comes to a draft the GAY population will likely

QUADRUPLE!! lmao... On the good side, they will no longer be the minority!

[Turn CO Blue]

32. Yes, all draftees will become gay with asthma

Although, seriously, if they're just looking for fodder for the IED's - they won't mind putting our gay boys out there in front, will they?

NO FREAKIN' DRAFT!

[L84TEA]

33. True! Maybe you are better off to go the

"I can't make it to my Physical route?"

[shesemsmom]

25. these are our personal options

we have a 15 year old daughter and we have already figured that girls will be included and if C O doesn't work we are gonna take out our retirement and head to Canada. No ifs ands or buts:cry: We don't want to we love our country but we love our child more

[tsuki]

26. How many sons have you?

[maxsmom]

29. four, but one is older and one is younger nt

[OneTwentyoNine]

30. HELL NO we won't go.....

Don't enlist them in ANYTHING...hell we just got one or two National guard guys killed today from Kansas. Even Chimps Vietnam hidey hole isn't safe anymore.

Look,Chimp has swore up and down... NO DRAFT,Rumsfeld over and over... NO DRAFT. If they do instate the draft then join the MILLIONS with draft age kids in saying you won't go.

David

[Turn CO Blue]

36. Yes. If the draft happens,

we will all COLLECTIVELY agree to NOT go! Agreed?

What are they going to do, chase down and arrest 100,000 youngsters and throw them all in jail? Hardly.

It would take a force of 200,000 to complete such a task!

[Contrary1]

37. My son will not fight in any of Bush's wars

I don't care if we have to shoot him in the foot (accidently), or move him to another country. We absolutely refuse to let our son be put in harm's way because of the idiot in the White House.

Not one drop of his blood will be shed...ever.

[insanityreigns]

39. Move to Canada

Move to Canada. Nice safe pacifist country that doesn't bother anyone...or move to Switzerland. Either way would work.

[Turn CO Blue]

54. Canada figured out that we were all coming...

so they have embargoed any migration from the US for like a year or so (at least I believe that is what I read somewhere).

But if Canada doesn't work out, the weather is very nice in Mexico and the food is wonderful...and the locals wouldn't care or turn anybody in.

[Slit Skirt]

56. I too have two draft age sons....

dont't let them go....they will microchip them....and the rest will be history....

meet you in Mexico....!

[itsrainingkarma]

41. check weights

if you really don't want them to go then simply check their weights... when i was going into the air force i had to fight hard to get under my weight despite the fact that most people will tell you i weigh about 170 (i actually weight 200) i'm big boned and my weight maximum was 199... next if you decide to enlist no matter what branch you enlist in (and i suggest Air Force then Navy) ask your recruiter if you can take the DLAB... Defense Language Apititude Battery... if you pass the test you get to spend 6-16 months in monterey california learning a foreign language (not arabic unless you score incredibly high)... they told me they wanted people for spanish, Korean, and Arabic... i took the test about a year and a half ago now... but the air force jobs for this test are either ground based cryptologic linguist or airborne cryptologic linguist and both are safe and the navy's linguists are in ships... avoid this job if you get stuck with the army or marines because then you'll be an interrogator or some grunt with language skills that'll keep you on the front lines all the time

[Alexander Hamilton]

51. army.

Just because we are all liberal and progressive doesn't mean we can't fight for the freedom we all love.

[Lenape85]

42. I'm probably going to leave the country

[GodHelpUsAll2]

44. I have been

thinking this same thing. I was terrified out of my wits just yesterday when a letter from the ARMY RECRUITERS came in the mail addressed to my 15 year old son. I made a big stink at his school about not publishing his name or info ANYWHERE not even the school directory and I signed a seperate form to NOT reveal any info to any branch of the military. HOW THE HELL DID THEY FIND HIM?????????

[cire4]

45. Investigate how to send them to another country first....

There are many many many opportunities for college-age, (young people) to go overseas for a period of time. They can study abroad, volunteer abroad, or work abraod. As a college student myself, I must say that this is by far the best option because it keeps them safe from the draft and offers tremendous personal benefits as well.

I've already applied for work permits in the UK and Australia so I'll have an option should the draft come. Take the time to investigate....it'll be worth it.

[Buck Rabbit]

46. Wait tell they actually announce a draft. Then have them join the Navy.

Unless they start running swift boats up the Euphrates, they should be ok.

As for my draft age son, he is 10,000 miles out of the country.

[Fiendish Thingy]

48. They can draft my son (who is currently 14)...

when they pry him from my cold, dead hands. In Canada.
(which is where we will be if they revive the draft)

[RPM]

50. My condolences...

... put em in the coast guard... now.

[scarface2004]

52. you re sons aren t gay are they?!

oh yeah, i m gay sargeant...can t you tell!