The Selective Service System wants to hear from men and women in the community who might be willing to serve as members of Local Boards.

 

Local Board Members are volunteers appointed by the Director of Selective Service in the name of the President, upon the recommendation of the Governor.  They play an important community role closely connected with our nation's defense.

 

The Selective Service System is an independent Agency within the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.  The mission of the Selective Service System is to provide manpower to the Department of Defense for military service, in the event of a national emergency as declared by Congress and the President.  The all-volunteer armed forces, instituted in 1973, were never intended to stand alone in time of emergency.  In the event of conflict, the active duty armed forces would be quickly augmented by the National Guard and the Reserves, and if necessary, the Selective Service System could also be mobilized by order of Congress and the President.

 

If a military draft ever became necessary, approximately 91 Local Boards throughout Florida would decide which young men in each community would receive deferments, postponements, or exemptions from military service based on federal guidelines, and we need volunteers who are civic-minded, and of sound judgment, to fill these important positions.

 

Some of the requirements to be a volunteer Local Board Member are:

*  Must be a U.S. citizen,

*  be at least 18 years old,

*  have registered with the Selective Service System (if required, males only),

*  not be a retired or active member of the Armed Forces or any Reserve component, 

*  not be a member of local, state, or federal law enforcement,

*  not have been convicted of any felony offense,

*  live in the area in which the board has jurisdiction,

*  be willing to fairly and uniformly apply Selective Service System law, regulations, and procedures.

Local Board Members would be asked to attend an initial training session, lasting 3-4 hours.  Each year thereafter, Board Members are asked to complete an annual continuation training session, either through group sessions or by self-study materials provided by the Selective Service System.  These are the basic requirements of Board Members during peacetime.

More information can be found on the Selective Service System website:  http://www.sss.gov/   Interested candidates can request an application online, by selecting "Fast Facts", and then "Local Boards", from the Selective Service System website menu.

Thank you for your support of the Selective Service System - "America's Insurance Policy".