I got this at http://thomas.loc.gov/. Just type HR 163 in the search field. Universal National Service Act of 2003 (Introduced in House) HR 163 IH 108th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 163 To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 7, 2003 Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. STARK, and Mr. ABERCROMBIE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A BILL To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Universal National Service Act of 2003'. (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. National service obligation. Sec. 3. Two-year period of national service. Sec. 4. Implementation by the President. Sec. 5. Induction. Sec. 6. Deferments and postponements. Sec. 7. Induction exemptions. Sec. 8. Conscientious objection. Sec. 9. Discharge following national service. Sec. 10. Registration of females under the Military Selective Service Act. Sec. 11. Relation of Act to registration and induction authority of Military Selective Service Act. Sec. 12. Definitions. SEC. 2. NATIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION. (a) OBLIGATION FOR YOUNG PERSONS- It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 26 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this Act unless exempted under the provisions of this Act. (b) FORM OF NATIONAL SERVICE- National service under this Act shall be performed either-- (1) as a member of an active or reverse component of the uniformed services; or (2) in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the President, promotes the national defense, including national or community service and homeland security. (c) INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS- The President shall provide for the induction of persons covered by subsection (a) to perform national service under this Act. (d) SELECTION FOR MILITARY SERVICE- Based upon the needs of the uniformed services, the President shall-- (1) determine the number of persons covered by subsection (a) whose service is to be performed as a member of an active or reverse component of the uniformed services; and (2) select the individuals among those persons who are to be inducted for military service under this Act. (e) CIVILIAN SERVICE- Persons covered by subsection (a) who are not selected for military service under subsection (d) shall perform their national service obligation under this Act in a civilian capacity pursuant to subsection (b)(2). SEC. 3. TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF NATIONAL SERVICE. (a) GENERAL RULE- Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of national service performed by a person under this Act shall be two years. (b) GROUNDS FOR EXTENSION- At the discretion of the President, the period of military service for a member of the uniformed services under this Act may be extended-- (1) with the consent of the member, for the purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness incurred in line of duty; or (2) for the purpose of requiring the member to compensate for any time lost to training for any cause. (c) EARLY TERMINATION- The period of national service for a person under this Act shall be terminated before the end of such period under the following circumstances: (1) The voluntary enlistment and active service of the person in an active or reverse component of the uniformed services for a period of at least two years, in which case the period of basic military training and education actually served by the person shall be counted toward the term of enlistment. (2) The admission and service of the person as a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, or the United States Merchant Marine Academy. (3) The enrollment and service of the person in an officer candidate program, if the person has signed an agreement to accept a Reserve commission in the appropriate service with an obligation to serve on active duty if such a commission is offered upon completion of the program. (4) Such other grounds as the President may establish. SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT. (a) IN GENERAL- The President shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act. (b) MATTER TO BE COVERED BY REGULATIONS- Such regulations shall include specification of the following: (1) The types of civilian service that may be performed for a person's national service obligation under this Act. (2) Standards for satisfactory performance of civilian service and of penalties for failure to perform civilian service satisfactorily. (3) The manner in which persons shall be selected for induction under this Act, including the manner in which those selected will be notified of such selection. (4) All other administrative matters in connection with the induction of persons under this Act and the registration, examination, and classification of such persons. (5) A means to determine questions or claims with respect to inclusion for, or exemption or deferment from induction under this Act, including questions of conscientious objection. (6) Standards for compensation and benefits for persons performing their national service obligation under this Act through civilian service. (7) Such other matters as the President determines necessary to carry out this Act. (c) USE OF PRIOR ACT- To the extent determined appropriate by the President, the President may use for purposes of this Act the procedures provided in the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 451 et seq.), including procedures for registration, selection, and induction. SEC. 5. INDUCTION. (a) IN GENERAL- Every person subject to induction for national service under this Act, except those whose training is deferred or postponed in accordance with this Act, shall be called and inducted by the President for such service at the time and place specified by the President. (b) AGE LIMITS- A person may be inducted under this Act only if the person has attained the age of 18 and has not attained the age of 26. (c) VOLUNTARY INDUCTION- A person subject to induction under this Act may volunteer for induction at a time other than the time at which the person is otherwise called for induction. (d) EXAMINATION; CLASSIFICATION- Every person subject to induction under this Act shall, before induction, be physically and mentally examined and shall be classified as to fitness to perform national service. The President may apply different classification standards for fitness for military service and fitness for civilian service. SEC. 6. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS. (a) HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS- A person who is pursuing a standard course of study, on a full-time basis, in a secondary school or similar institution of learning shall be entitled to have induction under this Act postponed until the person-- (1) obtains a high school diploma; (2) ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study; or (3) attains the age of 20. (b) HARDSHIP AND DISABILITY- Deferments from national service under this Act may be made for-- (1) extreme hardship; or (2) physical or mental disability. (c) TRAINING CAPACITY- The President may postpone or suspend the induction of persons for military service under this Act as necessary to limit the number of persons receiving basic military training and education to the maximum number that can be adequately trained. (d) TERMINATION- No deferment or postponement of induction under this Act shall continue after the cause of such deferment or postponement ceases. SEC. 7. INDUCTION EXEMPTIONS. (a) QUALIFICATIONS- No person may be inducted for military service under this Act unless the person is acceptable to the Secretary concerned for training and meets the same health and physical qualifications applicable under section 505 of title 10, United States Code, to persons seeking original enlistment in a regular component of the Armed Forces. (b) OTHER MILITARY SERVICE- No person shall be liable for induction under this Act who-- (1) is serving, or has served honorably for at least six months, in any component of the uniformed services on active duty; or (2) is or becomes a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a midshipman of a Navy accredited State maritime academy, a member of the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or the naval aviation college program, so long as that person satisfactorily continues in and completes two years training therein. SEC. 8. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION. (a) CLAIMS AS CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR- Any person selected under this Act for induction into the uniformed services who claims, because of religious training and belief (as defined in section 6(j) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 456(j))), exemption from combatant training included as part of that military service and whose claim is sustained under such procedures as the President may prescribe, shall, when inducted, participate in military service that does not include any combatant training component. (b) TRANSFER TO CIVILIAN SERVICE- Any such person whose claim is sustained may, at the discretion of the President, be transferred to a national service program for performance of such person's national service obligation under this Act. SEC. 9. DISCHARGE FOLLOWING NATIONAL SERVICE. (a) DISCHARGE- Upon completion or termination of the obligation to perform national service under this Act, a person shall be discharged from the uniformed services or from civilian service, as the case may be, and shall not be subject to any further service under this Act. (b) COORDINATION WITH OTHER AUTHORITIES- Nothing in this section shall limit or prohibit the call to active service in the uniformed services of any person who is a member of a regular or reserve component of the uniformed services. SEC. 10. REGISTRATION OF FEMALES UNDER THE MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT. (a) REGISTRATION REQUIRED- Section 3(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 453(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking `male' both places it appears; (2) by inserting `or herself' after `himself'; and (3) by striking `he' and inserting `the person'. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 16(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 466(a)) is amended by striking `men' and inserting `persons'. SEC. 11. RELATION OF ACT TO REGISTRATION AND INDUCTION AUTHORITY OF MILITARY SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT. (a) REGISTRATION- Section 4 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 454) is amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: `(h) This section does not apply with respect to the induction of persons into the Armed Forces pursuant to the Universal National Service Act of 2003.'. (b) INDUCTION- Section 17(c) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 467(c)) is amended by striking `now or hereafter' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting `inducted pursuant to the Universal National Service Act of 2003.'. SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) The term `military service' means service performed as a member of an active or reverse component of the uniformed services. (2) The term `Secretary concerned' means the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to matters concerning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with respect to matters concerning the Public Health Service. (3) The term `United States', when used in a geographical sense, means the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. (4) The term `uniformed services' means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service.
It is interesting that we didn't hear too much about this when it was introduced. Or maybe I was sleeping that week and missed the threads about it.
probably because no one takes it seriously. it's a political statement about who ultimately fights the wars that rich white folks initiate. that's been the crux of every argument i've heard about this.
My understanding is that I (and MadMax and others) are eligible to be drafted until age 42 under a provision for professional services. That's right, I could be drafted into the JAG until age 42. Yikes.
If Kerry/Edwards win in November, there will be no military draft. Posted on Wed, Sep. 15, 2004 Edwards: No Military Draft if Dems Win JENNIFER BUNDY Associated Press PARKERSBURG, W.Va. - Vice presidential candidate John Edwards promised a West Virginia mother on Wednesday that if the Democratic ticket is elected in November the military draft would not be revived. During a question-and-answer session, the mother of a 23-year-old who recently graduated from West Virginia University asked Edwards whether the draft would be reinstated. "There will be no draft when John Kerry is president," Edwards said, a statement that drew a standing ovation. The current force is all-volunteer, and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said he opposes reinstating the draft. But the Pentagon has taken several steps that have drawn criticism. In June, the Pentagon recalled to active duty 5,674 members of the Individual Ready Reserve, soldiers who have served specified tours of duty but have years remaining in their enlistment contracts. Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, has complained about the extent of the Bush administration's use of Reserves and National Guardsmen and a device called "stop loss," which prevents soldiers from leaving when typical obligations end. "They have effectively used a stop-loss policy as a backdoor draft," Kerry said. During the session with Edwards, a woman whose son is serving in Iraq asked why the vehicles in his convoys are not armored. She said one vehicle was attacked last week and three soldiers were killed. "We will never send American men and women into battle without first having a plan to win the peace and without the training and the equipment they need, including armored vehicles and including body armor," Edwards said. "We have one candidate for president who has fought in a war. The truth of the matter is John Kerry takes this very, very personally." Bill Ambrose, a land surveyor from Volcano, told Edwards, "I don't know why we can't hammer George Bush. The concern is we are not supporting the troops. I think that's a separate issue. We all support the troops. This administration has made the most monumental foreign policy mistakes since Vietnam." Edwards said that when he and Kerry say they support and admire U.S. troops serving in Iraq, "it's not just words, it's what we really believe." "Iraq is a mess. It is a mess because of George Bush and Dick Cheney. It's that simple," Edwards said. "The facts are overwhelming. This president's father did the work, the hard work, of bringing others with us before the Gulf War." Edwards said the Gulf War cost American taxpayers $5 billion. "This president did not do that. The result is over $200 billion and counting" and a thousand American deaths, Edwards said. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/9674088.htm?1c
Another Kerry scare tactic. There will be no draft. The army doesn't want a bunch of people who don't want to be there.
This is a bill introduced last year in the House of Representatives, not an editorial from a newspaper. This was or is on the table and is not a "Kerry scare tactic." You can look up the party if the men who cosponsored it if you like, but no matter their party, they are wrong.
I'm not sure compulsory service would be bad for the country in general, as long as the rich folk (white or otherwise) don't get a free pass. It might even be good for people to have to serve a couple of years when they get out of high school. Of course glynch would have to move his family back to canada.
This was a big deal when it was first introduced to the media because the guy that introduced it had just criticized Bush by saying that if Bush was elected the draft would be re-instated. Then the idiot goes on and drafts a bill that would do just that.
The draft will never, ever, ever be reinstated. 1. It would be political suicide. 2. The modern world with its preponderance of urban battlefields has rendered massive infantry combat obsolete. The fact that anyone would reintroduce this concept through legislation is a priori evidence that the average member of the house of representatives is dumber than dirt.
Please. Don't act like it's not obvious. Does anyone not know which party these political geniuses belong to? Are you saying that they sponsored the bill without any regard to its political impact regardless of passage?
not me...i'm married...have 2 kids...and own my own business that employs folks. i've intentionally set up my life so that i'll never get drafted. it all started when i was 7 years old....my master plan at work. (cue evil laugh here)
i know...i'm a draft dodger. which reminds me of a great stripes line: "why'd you join the army, son." "to avoid the draft." "son, there's no draft" "there was one?"
There will not be a compulsory draft, not unless GWB gets to invade PRC like he is jonesing to do. The military may have to become less selective and expand their roles to deal with the Iraq Quagmire (tm).
Troops are already stretched thin in Iraq and Afghanistan, with no end in sight. Now all signs point to an attack on Iran. If Bush gets a second term, what keeps him from instituting a draft? He's already instituted a "back-door" draft on reservists.
