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how to be an artful dodger...

well no, not really.
but if you're 34 or under, you might want to start learning.

this is from the toronto star

WASHINGTON—The chief of the U.S. Selective Service System has proposed registering women for the military draft and requiring that young Americans regularly inform the government about whether they have training in niche specialties needed in the armed services.

The proposal, which the agency's acting director Lewis Brodsky presented to senior Pentagon officials just before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, also seeks to extend the age of draft registration to 34, up from 25.

The issue of a renewed draft has gained attention because of concern that U.S. military forces are stretched thin because of worldwide commitments.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist strikes, U.S. forces have fought and won two wars, have established a major military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq and are now taking on peacekeeping duties in Haiti.

The plan, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, highlights the extent to which agency officials have planned for an expanded military draft in case the administration and Congress authorize one in the future.

"In line with today's needs, the Selective Service System's structure, programs and activities should be re-engineered toward maintaining a national inventory of American men and, for the first time, women, ages 18 through 34, with an added focus on identifying individuals with critical skills," the agency said in a Feb. 11, 2003, proposal presented to Pentagon officials.

i have a friend who was in the army a few years back. (most of you reading this know who he is)
he called a few months ago, and told me the army had just called to ask if he would take roughly a 80% paycut and come back to help them out. he said no, of course, and he told me that was just the first call.
the next time they wouldn't be asking, and once that happened, we'd probably be months away from a draft if all our forces were still deployed.

he's been "overseas" for a few weeks now.

here's another helpful link from the star...


posted by scott 2:33 PM