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Indybay Feature

Bill To Modify The Draft Introduced

by Horatio Alger
Bill introduced that would modify the Draft into compulsory military training in the US and US territories.
Bill introduced that would modify the Draft into compulsory military training in the US and US territories.

On December 20th of last year, Republicans Nick Smith of Michigan and Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania introduced H. R. 3598, the Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001. HR 3598 is currently before the House Committee of Armed Services.
This bill would be "To require the induction into the Armed Forces of young men registered under the Military Selective Service Act, and to authorize young women to volunteer, to receive basic military training and education for a period of up to one year." Those inducted would be all men in the US (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam - all territories whose residents do not have voting rights) between the ages of 18-22 years of age.

The period to be served is no less than six months and no more than one year. Many seem to want to pass this off as just another Draft scare, but compulsory training is entierly new. On Febuary 1st, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article quoting Bush as saying, "All Americans [should] give 4,000 hours of service over their lifetime to their country." A seemingly meaningless statement until you consider that 4,000 hours is one day shy of 6 months, the minimum service requirement under this new Bill.

Some other highlights of the Bill are sections including, "EXTENDED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS." and "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS," which would force those who are granted objector status to serve their time in a domestic office (such as Homeland Defense?)

For the full text of this bill, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov and search for HR3598.

So far no mainstream media attention has been given to this bill, and very little independent media focus. Please help get the word out.

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