Draft Could Be Reinstated, If Gulf War Drags On

This scenario isn't supposed to happen: War in the Gulf drags on for several weeks, maybe months. Congress, just to be safe, reactivates the military draft.

Within hours or maybe a day, two big lottery drums, similar to those used in state lotteries, crank up, randomly matching numbered capsules with birth dates of men turning 20 years old this year.

A computer in a secret location near Chicago churns out thousands of yellow mailgrams ordering those whose numbers were selected to report for duty or seek a deferment within 10 days.

Though President Bush and military experts have said repeatedly a draft isn't needed for the Gulf crisis, the House Armed Services Committee today begins hearings on whether a draft is needed to share war's burden with groups underrepresented in the military.

In addition to questions about preparedness, the crisis raises issues of fairness about the all-volunteer force in which minorities and the poor would do more of the fighting and dying.

It's been 18 years since the last person was drafted. For the past decade, however, young men have been registering within 30 days of their 18th birthday. As the threat of war draws closer, young people grapple with tough questions. The answers may bring war closer to home:

Q Will the draft be reinstated?

A At the moment, no. Bush and Defense Department officials say the all-volunteer army is strong; they see no need for a draft. But if war lasts weeks or months, Congress could reinstate the draft. The Selective Service System has a plan that could get new inductees into training within two weeks of a congressional vote.

Q How would the draft work?

A By lottery system. After Congress acts, after defense officials decide how many people they need, the lottery matches numbers and birth dates of people turning 20 that calendar year. If the draft is reactivated soon, men born in 1971 would be in the first lottery.

Induction notices would be received within three days of the lottery. Young men receiving them would have 10 days to decide to report or seek deferment. Draft priorities are then set for men ages 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, in that order, followed by 19-year-olds and then 18-year-olds.

Q Who is the oldest person who can be drafted?

A Someone about to turn 26. A person can be drafted until just before his 26th birthday.

Q Can women be drafted?

A No, but they can volunteer. Despite efforts by former President Carter to have women register, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1981 that it was constitutional to exclude women.

Q How do you avoid serving?

A The days of instant student deferments are gone. Drafted students can get a postponement, allowing them to finish the current college quarter or semester. Seniors and other students expecting a degree that year can postpone until graduation.

People who have fought in other nations' armies are exempt. So are certain resident aliens, students in ROTC, members of Congress, state legislators, the governor and other public officials elected statewide.

Conscientious objectors whose claims are upheld by draft boards will be assigned either noncombat military roles or civilian public service, depending on their beliefs.

``Extreme hardship'' is the other major deferment. Local draft boards decide if serving poses extreme hardship, for example, on a dependent invalid parent or ailing spouse who has no one else to care for them.

``We're not talking about if you go away, your wife and child will miss you,'' said Lew Brodsky, Selective Service System spokesman.

Q What happens if you seek a deferment?

A The date to report is postponed until a five-member local draft board holds a hearing.

Q Who serves on the draft boards?

A Thirty-four draft boards are already in place in this state. They are made up of men and women of varying social and economic backgrounds.

Q There are a lot of misconceptions and rumors about who is exempt and who isn't. What about a family's only son?

A There is no provision exempting a young man if he is the only son.

Q What about medical tests?

A As always, inductees must take entrance tests and can be excluded if found ``physically, mentally or morally'' unsuitable for service.

Homosexuals are considered unsuitable for military service. The Supreme Court recently left intact the military's right to ban homosexuals from service. Local processing people will have to separate legitimate gay people from the potential flood of draftees claiming homosexuality to dodge the draft.

Q Penalties?

A A person failing to register faces up to $250,000 in fines, a jail term up to five years or both. Brodsky said the fine for evading the draft is similar or worse.

Q If drafted and ready to serve, where do you go, what can you expect?

A Mailgrams, roughly two pages in length, will outline what is expected, where to report, what to bring.

Q Does Selective Service have any indication that the draft will soon be reinstated?

A``We're just as ready today as five months ago and five years ago,'' Brodsky said. ``There is no additional alert because of this crisis and no indication the draft is necessary.''

Q Mere mention of the draft stirs uncomfortable feelings and worry. Where can draft-age people go to sort feelings toward the war?

A Many people turn to churches and synagogues. In recent days, the Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center has been flooded with calls from draft-age men questioning their own beliefs. The center can help people develop their cases for conscientious-objector deferment. Phone is 789-2751.