I have a question regarding a possible upcoming draft:

[SmileyBoy]

I'm currently 21 years old, and will be just shy of 23 on June 15, 2005 (the day they supposedly will start the draft if * wins). I've been thinking about what course I should take in my life if the worst happens (* winning/stealing the election). I don't know whether to stay in college here, or to study in Canada. I have a pamphlet and some other info from the University of Manitoba (220 miles north of me), and I've been thinking of transferring there if things really start to fuck up in this country. But I don't even know if I'll have to leave if there is a draft. I don't know if I'd be qualified.

The thing I'm wondering about is that I have some disabilities (not physical, tho) in which I don't know if they would keep me from being drafted. They are:

-Aspberger's Syndrome (an autistic spectrum disorder)
-A mild case of Tourette's Syndrome (a neurobiological condition which causes uncontrollable vocal and bodily tics)
-Clinical Depression
-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

I was also partly in special education from 5th through 12th grade, and have the records to prove it.

I've been told by my family that the armed forces would not want to accept me in a draft, and that I'd be branded a 4F. But others have told me that they wouldn't care at this point, because I have no physical deferrments. These aren't physical disabilities I have. These are neurological ones. I'd really like to know if this would keep me from being drafted. Because if it does, I've decided that I'll stay here and fight the good fight if * wins somehow in 2004.

Any help would be appreciated.

[MadProphetMargin]

1. No, none of those conditions render you 4F automatically.

[quarbis]

2. in 1969

while in the Army at FT Bliss Texas I ran into a kid who had had
polio as a child and walked with a limp -- you could be in Basic Training before you get let loose he was -- I enlisted so i have no gripe except a lot of good people died because the war was micro-managed by LBJ

[Brian_Expat]

3. Also don't assume that being out of the US will protect you

If the US issues a draft order and you don't show, they'll pull your passport. Other countries won't let you travel without one, and Canada might very well extradite you to the US to face trial. Make sure you have a good attorney before you decide to go this route.

[BiggJawn]

6. Canada won't take you.

Bush arm-twisted them into signing a treaty requiring them to return all draft-resistors, felons, and "persons of interest", remember?

Now, Vicente Fox signed no such treaty......

[ThatPoetGuy]

4. Did the right-wing bite their own ass on this one?

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that you can sidestep military enlistment with three little words:

"I am gay."

And you are automatically ineligible for military service, whether it's true or not.

"Don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" might render the draft ineffectual.

[Brian_Expat]

5. Look for a quick suspension of "DADT"

They've already suspended it for active-duty troops in Iraq. You don't get discharged for being gay until after the "stop loss order" goes into effect. A similar rule will likely apply for GLBT draftees.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi ThatPoetGuy!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[diamond14]

7. take action NOW to prove you are a Conscientious Objector to KILLING (link

here's a good link to all the legal aspects, and how you can work to document you're Objection to KILLING....some do little in this area until the draft, which is too late...you must show a long-term and deep objection to KILLING...not just a passing fancy based on your own draft call-up....this is a Christian site, but it is very good about all aspects and documentation needed....

http://www.peacehost.net/christianCO/

[NNadir]

8. You're probably safe. Typically they draft nineteen or twenty year olds.

It helps enormously if your father is a congressman who can get you a cherry assignment drinking for the National Guard, though.

I think the validity of what we did in the 60's and 70's though is marginal. I'm sure the laws have changed.

[chelsea0011]

9. Just claim you are gay

It's a winner

[Jack The Tab]

11. Not only say you are gay, but you can't wait to be around the other guys!

NT

[SmileyBoy]

12. Let's hope so...

I don't know if they'll want me to prove it.