Selective Draft

News & Links

America's Veterans
Homepage

 

Although Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is dead-set against asking Congress for a draft, the Selective Service System nevertheless is looking at procedures and policies it might use to implement a "special skills draft" just in case Congress should legislate it. Richard Flahavan, a spokesman for SSS, an independent federal agency, said that in talks with DoD representatives no need was seen for wide-scale conscription such as was used during the Vietnam War. He added that, if any draft were considered, it would be for targeted skills, such as linguists and computer experts. He emphasized, however, that DoD has not sent any request to the SSS to initiate planning. Furthermore, except for bills by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., which have minimal support, Congress has shown little interest in a draft.