<p>S turned 18 recently-it suddenly occurred to me that he has to register for the selective service–? Is this right? and how was he to know this?</p>
<p>Yes, he has to register. I guess it is just common knowledge I guess.</p>
<p>If his address is current with the Social Security Agency, he would have gotten a postcard when he was 17 1/2, when he files FAFSA – they ask, when he registers to vote they will remind him, there are posters up at the post office about registering, if he applies for a passport they will ask, and I think there are several other methods the federal government has to remind men to register when they turn 18.</p>
<p>He can register on line.</p>
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Yes. I think the forms are available at your local post office.</p>
<p>It’s illegal not to register. Although they won’t exactly throw you in the slammer you’ll one is ineligible for student aid and other things from the government if you don’t register. </p>
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It should be common knowledge… in the same way they don’t put up massive billboards reminding people to send in their taxes by April 15th… everyone just knows (or in theory should know).</p>
<p>Our guidance office had a poster up with that information on it. It was posted outside the office in the senior hallway.</p>
<p>Did he file FAFSA? If so he my have registered already as there is an option there to sign up automatically.</p>
<p>My son picked up his selective service registration form at our drivers license bureau.</p>
<p>You can do it online.
[Selective</a> Service System: Welcome](<a href=“http://www.sss.gov/]Selective”>http://www.sss.gov/)</p>
<p>My son conciously decided not to register. I believe that there were multiple opportunities and reminders while he was still in high school. Our initial FAFSA filing for freshman year happened before he was 17-1/2. It all caught up with him mid-freshman year: he (we, at home address) received a letter from the Selective Service outlining how he was in violation and any scholarship $$ would be in jeopardy. We forwarded the letter to him at school and reminded him that he had to register. At about the same time, I was filling out this year’s FAFSA, so I just checked off the box re: registering. He also finally registered online. He thought he was making a statement…we said he could make his statement if he’s ever drafted, on his own nickel.</p>
<p>We completely forgot about it until S. was at least 18 1/2. He panicked and registered online, and all was fine.</p>
<p>My S actually received some kind of letter, although he seems to have lost it.</p>
<p>Personally, I regard the draft in its current form as akin to slavery, and I object to it. (Although I am not opposed to some form of national service for ALL–repeat, ALL–18 or 19 yr olds.) I also think that if males have to register, females ought to have to register.</p>
<p>S2 turned 18 in Dec. I had remembered that S1 got a card in the mail about registering three years ago when he turned 18 so I figured S2 would get one too. I sort of forgot about it. We got the card reminding him to register about 10 days ago. He did it online, takes about two minutes.</p>
<p>Ok-this is all good information. I have to say that my S has no idea that he needs to do this. He has not received anything in the mail and had not been told anything at school which a small private. I just am a 60’s kid and suddenly thought about it. I asked at a dinner party a few nights ago and 3 of us have nearly or 18 year olds and they thought I was nuts! Thanks again and I will have him register on line.</p>
<p>Wow, my son turned 18 on April 10, and it didn’t even occur to me that he has to do this. I’ll bet he doesn’t know about it either – I’ll ask him. </p>
<p>I think the year I turned 18 (1973) might have been the last, or maybe the next-to-last, year they were still holding the draft lottery, although I’m pretty sure they weren’t actually drafting anyone anymore. But all the boys definitely had to register.</p>
<p>Donna</p>
<p>Or go to the post office.</p>
<p>Your son will then get a form showing that he registered and I think
a card for his his wallet, which you show when applying for work.</p>
<p>I went through this last year.</p>
<p>I chose to automatically sign up when I got my drivers license. All it was was ticking one extra box. He may have done that and forgotten about it.</p>
<p>Our son also checked the box when he got his driver’s license that automatically signs him up when he turns 18, so no further action is necessary. If your S didn’t get any reminders that may be the reason.</p>
<p>Please remember that registering with selective service and being drafted are two different things. In registering, young men are not consenting to be drafted, if and when that should come about.</p>
<p>I was signed up when I registered to vote.</p>