GENDER ISSUES: Changes Would be Needed to Expand Selective Service Registration to Women.
Abstract
Until 1973, the U.S. military relied on a mix of draftees and volunteers to fill its ranks. In 1973, the draft ended and the military became an all-volunteer force. Currently, the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA)1 requires that males between the ages of 18 and 26 register under procedures established by a presidential proclamation and other rules and regulations. SSS is an independent agency within the executive branch of the federal government. Its missions are to (1) provide untrained manpower to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military service in the event of a national emergency declared by the Congress or the President, (2) administer a program of alternative service for conscientious objectors in the event of a draft, and (3) maintain the capability to register and forward for induction health care personnel if so authorized and directed in a future crisis, sss, carries out its function with an authorized staff of 180 civilians (170 on board as of May 1998)15 active military personnel; 745 part-time reservists; 56 part-time state directors (one in each state, territory, the District of Columbia, and New York City); and 10,605 uncompensated civilian volunteer members of local, review, and various appeal boards. Currently, the boards receive periodic training in classifying registrants in the event the draft is reinstituted. The fiscal year 1998 budget for 555 is about $23.4 million. Its registration database of men between the ages of 18 and 26 contained about 13 million names as of March 1998.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA347937
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office