Lori Meadows
University students may be wondering if they can be drafted into the military and, if so, under what circumstances. While the likelihood of a draft being implemented is currently low, it is a possibility in the event of a national emergency. In such a scenario, university students can be drafted but may be granted a postponement of service until the end of the current semester or, if they are in their final year, until the end of the academic year. There are also various exemptions and deferments that may apply to students, such as hardship deferments or conscientious objector status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a university student be drafted? | In the U.S., students at university can avoid the draft legally. However, there is a low likelihood of being pulled out of college due to a draft. |
| Who is eligible for postponement? | High school students until they graduate or reach 20, whichever is earlier. College students until the end of the semester or, if a senior, until the end of the academic year. |
| Who is eligible for deferment? | Men whose induction would result in hardship for those depending on them for support. Ministerial students until the completion of their studies. |
| Who is eligible for exemption? | Certain elected officials, as long as they continue to hold office. Sole surviving sons or brothers in a family where a parent or sibling died as a result of U.S. military service, or is captured or MIA. Conscientious objectors who have completed civilian alternate service. Registrants over the age of liability for military service. |
| Who can be drafted? | All U.S. male citizens and male immigrants living in the U.S. must register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to do so can result in penalties. |
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What You'll Learn
University students can be drafted in a national emergency
In the United States, the Selective Service System outlines the protocols for drafting citizens into military service in the event of a national emergency. While all male citizens and male immigrants are required to register with the Selective Service System when they turn 18, being enrolled in a university does provide some protection from immediate induction. University students may be eligible for postponement or deferment, allowing them to complete their current semester or, for seniors, the current academic year before being drafted.
The likelihood of being drafted directly from university, however, is quite small, given the current state of the U.S. military and draft system. The draft process considers each individual's circumstances and beliefs, and various exemptions and deferments are available. For example, students enrolled in ministerial studies or those who are the sole surviving son in their family may be exempt from military service. Additionally, medical students and doctors may be in high demand by the military and could be contracted to join after completing their studies.
In summary, while university students are not entirely exempt from the draft in a national emergency, there are mechanisms in place that may delay their induction and prioritize other segments of the population first. The specifics of a draft would depend on the reason for the emergency and the manpower needed.
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Medical students are needed by the military
In the United States, university students can be granted a postponement in the event of a military draft. College students can postpone their induction until the end of the current semester or, if a senior, until the end of the academic year. Students enrolled in medical school are also likely to be granted a postponement until they become doctors. This is because doctors are in high demand in the military, while enlisted soldiers are "easy to come by".
The military offers scholarships and benefits to medical students who are willing to commit to practicing medicine in the military after graduation. The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is a scholarship program for those who agree to work as military doctors. Students make a service commitment to their sponsoring military branch, amounting to a year of active-duty military service for each year of participation in the HPSP scholarship (with a minimum of two years of service). The HPSP scholarship covers tuition fees, health insurance, and provides a monthly living stipend of $2,000, as well as a $20,000 sign-on bonus. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) is another option, which offers a full salary and benefits while in school. However, it is important to note that the unique challenges of the military life, such as bureaucracy, lack of control over where you live, and potential deployments, may outweigh the financial benefits.
To be eligible for the HPSP or USUHS, applicants must be US citizens, as all military physicians serve as commissioned officers. Age limits and service time restrictions may apply, but waivers are sometimes granted based on skills and the Military's needs. Applicants are assessed based on GPA, MCAT scores, personal interviews, and physical fitness.
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Students can avoid the draft by enrolling in ROTC
In the event of a national emergency requiring a draft in the United States, the Military Selective Service Act would need to be amended by Congress to authorise the President to induct personnel into the Armed Forces. While there is no active draft currently in place, students have often wondered if they can be drafted and, if so, how they can avoid it.
Enrolling in ROTC is a viable option for students who wish to pursue a military career but want to finish their college studies first. It provides them with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge while also ensuring that they are not drafted until they have completed their education. This allows students to graduate and potentially even finish their residency before serving in the military.
It is important to note that, while ROTC students are currently exempt from the draft, policies and requirements can change. The draft process and exemptions are determined by the Department of Defense and can be amended by Congress and the President. Therefore, it is essential to stay informed about any updates or changes to draft policies and their potential impact on ROTC students.
In addition to enrolling in ROTC, students may also be able to postpone or defer the draft based on other criteria. For example, students may be eligible for a postponement if they are still in high school or college, or if they have extenuating circumstances such as a serious illness or death in the family. Hardship deferments are also available for those whose induction would cause a hardship for their family or dependents.
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Students with poor grades are more vulnerable to being drafted
During the Vietnam War, students with poor grades were more vulnerable to being drafted. At the time, college students were exempt from the draft, but only if they met certain conditions. One of these conditions was maintaining a certain GPA. If a student's grades fell, they became eligible for the draft. To protect their students, professors began inflating grades, which is believed to have contributed to the grade inflation that followed in the 1960s.
Eventually, student deferments were eliminated, and the draft lottery was based on one's birthday. Those who got a low number were drafted, while those with high numbers were not. This change made a student's grades less relevant to their likelihood of being drafted. However, it's important to note that the draft process has changed over time, and it's uncertain if similar exemptions would be in place during a future draft.
In the case of a future national emergency that requires a draft, Congress would need to amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the President to induct personnel into the Armed Forces. While there are no current classifications in place, classifications would be determined based on individual registrants' circumstances and beliefs. College students may be able to postpone their induction until the end of the current semester or, if they are seniors, until the end of the academic year.
It's worth noting that certain groups are eligible for deferments or exemptions. For example, ministerial students and those who would cause hardship to their families if they were inducted may be eligible for deferments. Additionally, specific healthcare professionals may be drafted to serve in non-combat roles, but this is generally only implemented in connection with a national emergency and with approval from Congress and the President.
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The draft is unlikely but possible
The draft is highly unlikely, but it is possible. In the US, there is currently no conscription act, and the likelihood of being pulled out of college due to a draft is small, given the current state of the US military and draft system. However, in the event of a national emergency, Congress could amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorise the President to induct personnel into the Armed Forces.
If a draft was implemented, college students could have their induction postponed until the end of the current semester or, if a senior, until the end of the academic year. Students could also apply for a postponement in the case of an emergency beyond their control, such as a serious illness or death in their immediate family.
Medical students may be treated differently to other students. One source suggests that med students would be more useful to the military after graduation, so the military might wait until they graduate before drafting them. However, another source notes that doctors are in high demand in the military, so med students could be drafted as doctors, rather than soldiers.
All US male citizens and male immigrants living in the US must register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to do so can result in penalties. This doesn't enrol you in the military but adds you to the list of eligible candidates should a draft be implemented.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, students can avoid the draft if they are enrolled at a university. However, there are no guarantees, and the draft board will consider each case individually.
Medical students are not exempt from the draft, but they are often needed by the military as doctors rather than soldiers.
High school students can be granted postponement until they graduate or turn 20, whichever comes first.
The likelihood of being drafted as a student is quite small, given the current state of the US military and draft system.
