So Umm... About the skills draft... What exemptions are possible?

[Dem Agog]

I read a document posted long ago saying that the Pentagon was considering a skills draft. This of course was squelched until after the election. The skills draft would take people in the medical field, translators, technology, etc. up to 35, according to this document.

Some questions, if anyone has any knowledge about this... Where would these people "serve"? Would the technology folks likely go overseas or serve at home?

Secondly, would medical exemptions (such as arthritis) come into play here, do you think? I have exceptionally terrible knees and would never make it into the standard military today for that reason, but I don't know about a "skills based" draft.

I'm 33 and a network engineer/project manager. Conceivably my skills would be required - I already have friends who have volunteered to go do the same work I have done before in Iraq as contractors. (They were single & unemployed and could not resist the insane yearly pay.)

I do not want to serve THIS country in its unjust murder of people in the middle east. I'd find any way out of it I could, and I'm looking for possible ideas because I feel a draft a comin'...

[TwentyFive]

1. I'd consult a lawyer...you've already registered for the draft, so...

...you may get a phone call or questionaire in the mail.

[Dem Agog]

3. How have I registered?

As a female, and at 33, I never had to register when I turned 18. So technically I'm not already registered.

Is that what you're thinking of?

[da_chimperor]

2. Claim you don't know a router from a rutabaga. That may work.

I'm planning on outright refusal to cooperate if they draft my ass. I'll gladly spend some time in the pokey rather than participate in a war.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. 3 exemptions 1 asthma, 2 homosexuality, 3 taken Ritalin afte the age 12

[Dem Agog]

6. Oooh what about other antidepressants or therapy?

I have allergies but no diagnosed asthma. I'm married to someone of the opposite sex so I can't claim homosexuality. Making babies to avoid the draft ain't gonna happen. But this Ritalin thing, I've taken Wellbutrin for depression/Adult ADD. Wonder if that would work.

[hadrons]

5. the ability to raise large sums of $$$ to the GOP will get U an exemption

[LeftyMom]

7. The "skills draft" is such a crock of shit

My sister in law is in the navy. She was in the Army reserve until a short time ago but switched branches for reasons involving military beaurocracy I don't pretend to understand. She's also a registered nurse. She used to be a medic of some sort but for some dumbass reason she couldn't advance anymore in that MOS so now she has a non-medical job. So the military has a nurse with up-to-the-minute skills (her real-life job is in the NICU of a big regional hospital, she used to work in cardiac care in anopther hospital and has also worked in the burn unit) but instead they have her doing a non-medical job. Yet they need medical skills so badly they may draft for them.

Does this make a damned bit of sense to anyone?

[Ducks In A Row]

8. Tell them you are gay. I'm sure you can get a photo of you...

at your local gay hangout.

[tedoll78]

9. I have a few strikes:

1) gay
2) chronic bronchitis
3) cancer patient

I'm not sure if #3 would help. It was testicular, it was in 1999, and I've been all-clear for five years now (i.e., "cured"). Still, they'll be after me for my medical skills, and I'll be playing-up The Cancer Card when they come for me.

[DS1]

10. I weave baskets out of hemp.

I think I'll be okay ;-)

[Turbineguy]

11. Find out what Bush's skills are

and say you have those.

[Touchdown]

12. If you previusly served your 8 years.

...in the military then you're done...I think. Everything could be different now, under *.

I served and finished up, so I think that's it. If it's not, then this time I don't care if they ask, because I WILL tell! I will also not shy away from looking at as many weenies in the shower that I did when I was 19-22. I don't care who I embarass.

[htuttle]

13. Ask them if you can outsource your military service

Perhaps you can hire someone from India to go to Iraq in your place?

:crazy:

It Just. Might. Work.