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I'm not sure about those of you outside of the US, but as all of you guys from the states know, at the age of 18 you are required by law to register for the Selective Service or face some serious jail time.

What you're really signing up for, though, seems to be more irritating than bloody telemarketers.

When I first registered, I received a phone call from a Marine recruiter. The phone call went something like this:

Me: Hello?
Recruiter: Hi, may I speak with Luis *last name*?
Me: Speaking...
Recruiter: Hi, I'm Sergeant (name omitted cause I can't remember ) with the US Marine Corps.
Me: Oh, um, I'm really not interested in enlisting or anything. Sorry!
Recruiter: No problem, I understand. Should I take you off of the list for recruiters to call?
Me: Please.
Recruiter: Will do. Thanks anyway!
Me: No problem. Bye.
*END TRANSMISSION*

No big deal. Civil, brief, and presumably over. Right?

WRONG.

Since then, I've gotten about 2 calls a month from these guys, trying to get me to join up and get killed over seas. It's sickening the tactics they've begun to employ. Most of the conversations now sound like this:

Recruiter: Hi, this is *blah blah* with the USMC and I...
Me: I'm a conscientious objector. Please don't ever call me again, and take me off of your list. Now.
Recruiter: All right, no pro-
*click* (I hang up)

Once I got a call that went like this (this one's the highlight ). I SWEAR this is how the call went:

*Phone Rings*
Me: (415) (insert phone number)... it's San Francisco, but I don't know who it is. Do you?
Fiance: No idea... Might as well pick it up.
Me: Alright...
*Answer Call*
Me: Hello?
Recruiter: Yo, is this Luis? (No last name used)
Me: Uh, yeah.
Recruiter: Hey homeboy! How's it goin'?
Me: Alright, I guess. Who's this?
Recruiter: Aw, it's me dawg!
Me: Uh...
Recruiter: *Insert title and name* from the USMC!
Me: Oh no...
Recruiter: Just callin' to say what's up! You know, the Marines have some great opportunities for-
Me: No. NO. NO! Take me off your goddamn list, mark me down as a conscientious objector, and NEVER call me again. Understand?
Recruiter: Uh, jeez...
Me: AND I AM NOT YOUR *expletive deleted*-ING "HOMEBOY!!"
*I hang up*

Not only do I find this annoying (and somewhat humorous that they want to kick it with me apparently...) but also very worrisome.

My name is Hispanic. Typically the socio-economic status of the Hispanic population is lower than the majority of white folks. What I had direct contact with, especially in that last call, was the military trying to recruit generally poorer kids because they have less education and are more willing to join the military because of financial incentives.

The guy was trying to be chill with me, speaking down to me effectively, trying to earn my trust, so he could get me to join the armed forces.

I find this VERY disturbing.

Anyone else get harassed by the military often? Your thoughts on my situation?


BTW, they STILL call me twice a month

So this is how the supposed most powerful country on Earth recruits its soldiers? I don't know whether to laugh or be terrified.

There's been talk of a draft for a while now, so they're doing everything to avoid that.

Yes it's annoying and wha not, but you have to respect those who are over seas.

yeah... they want to avoid a draft. the army regulars don't want a draft b/c it calls into question the abilities and sensibilities of those who they fight along side and rely upon to oh, i don't know... stay alive. the higher ups in the military don't want a draft, b/c it could cause even greater unrest amongst troops in an already unfavorable war. and the gov't doesn't want one b/c it will cause greater unrest amongst the citizenry to this unpopular war. we've been living in an updated version of the fifties politically since 9/11 and the gov't doesn't want to encourage another 60's to happen.

A draft? Hey, Kennedy got rid of that, don't friggin' bring it back. And what does selective service mean? And why do you have to sign up? Jeese, that sucks.

Next time just say that you have Tourettes and can't hold a gun properly.

Or that you're prejudiced against all races, Americans included -_-

The Air Force and Navy are still respectable, however.

Right?

Seems we outsource most of our manpower to PMC's nowadays anyhow. Kind of scary when you think about it.

I heard that if your a only son, you don't have to register for the Selective Service. Something because in WW2 so many families got destroyed in America.

Well I hope that's true. I'm oldest child and only boy in my familiy.

I was actually looking into what I said. And according the the Selective Service website you still have to register even if you are an only son.

I'm an only son, while we're at it

And FELX, that's not to say I disrespect the troops that are out now--all that I'm upset with is the way the government is managing the military. I have NOTHING against the military.

the adoption of a draft by the US in the near future would also result in some interesting court cases based on the concept of gender equality. given the nature of the supreme court, i doubt that they would rule that a draft under current draft laws would be sexist but they would still have to hear the case due to public pressure.

one argument against a draft that has been shot down by the court time after time has always confused me. the argument is based on the thirteenth amendment: 'Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.' given that a draft is by it's vary nature a form of involuntary servitude, one might think that this would prohibit a draft, at least of those not duly convicted of a crime. critics of this argument state that conscription was not considered when this amendment was passed, but considering the huge draft riots that went on during the civil war would have still been fresh in the legislators minds i find that counterargument rather hard to swallow. many historians say that these draft riots of the 1860s dwarfed the draft riots of the 1960s. but given that our gov't hasn't stuck to the limitations and duties outlined in the constitution for about 100 yrs, i guess i shouldn't be surprised.

Very articulate and well thought out point. Rep'd

if you ever want to liven things up start handing our your friends numbers to the recruiters like candy, your friends might get pissed, but you'll feel better knowing that they get twice as many calls as you do.

LMFAO @ the recruiter trying to act like he knows u and is your homie