Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The Selective Service System is currently seeking representation from Eddy County to serve on the Selective Service Local Board. The board is comprised of five citizen volunteers whose mission is to decide who, (in the event of a national draft) among the registrants in their community, will receive deferments, postponements or exemption from military service based on the individual registrant’s circumstances and beliefs.
The local board members are appointed by the Director of Selective Service in the name of the President, on recommendations made by their respective state governors or an equivalent public official. Anyone interested in serving as a local board member may apply online for an application.
Board members must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old. They may not be a retired or active member of the Armed Forces or any component of the Reserves. They must live in the county in which the board has jurisdiction and be willing to spend enough time at the position to accomplish the required training.
In peacetime, the board member program is one of the primary components of the Selective Service System. Over 11,000 volunteers are currently trained in Selective Service regulations and procedures so that if a draft is reinstated, they will be able to fulfill their obligations fairly and equitably. Board members are required to undergo an initial eight-hour online training session and then participate in annual training in which they review sample cases similar to real-life situations. Peacetime commitment is approximately 4 to 8 hours the first year and 2 hours every year after that.
During a draft, registrants with low lottery numbers will be ordered to report for a physical, mental and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemptions, postponement or deferment. At that time, the board members will begin reviewing and deciding the outcome of the individual registrant’s case. They could personally interview the registrant and people who know the registrant to gain a better understanding of the situation.
If you are interested in serving on the Selective Service System local board for Eddy County, use the following link to request an application or to get more information: https://www.sss.gov/Volunteers/Board-Member-Program.
