General Discussion

Miles Archer

(23,713 posts) Thu Apr 9, 2026, 08:11 AM Apr 9

146

Trump wants to reinstate Vietnam-era "emergency enlistment measures." Good. Let's start with his 20 y.o. son, Lurch. [View all]

The Trump administration’s Selective Service System (SSS), an agency that keeps tabs on draft-age Americans, has proposed doing away with self-registration for enlistment and instead automatically updating its lists with names drawn from other federal databases.

Federal law already requires men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register with the agency in case the president decides to issue a military draft order. SSS expects eligible candidates to self-register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, but otherwise allows men to file late submissions until age 26.

Trump mandated the new rules, which remain under review pending regulatory approval, in December of last year. Trump’s rules suggest that the president is interested in using emergency enlistment measures the U.S. has not otherwise activated since 1973, during the Vietnam War.

Trump, who attended the New York Military Academy, a prestigious military-style boarding school, did not serve in that conflict, or in any other capacity in the U.S. armed forces. In fact, the president avoided the draft on no fewer than five separate occasions—four times using a student deferment, and a fifth time for medical reasons.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/draft-dodging-peace-president-donald-trump-to-register-boys-for-military-draft-at-18/

88 replies

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Trump wants to reinstate Vietnam-era "emergency enlistment measures." Good. Let's start with his 20 y.o. son, Lurch. [View all] Miles Archer Apr 9 OP

"Emergency enlistment measures"? Please it's a draft he's talking about. Walleye Apr 9 #1

They want mandatory mil service eventually like our great ally. 617Blue Apr 9 #2

With low pay I assume. JBTaurus83 Apr 9 #14

Low pay with no food stamps or anything else. enigmania Apr 9 #25

Wait! Traildogbob Apr 9 #55

As a veteran liberalgunwilltravel Apr 9 #15

I agree. evolves Apr 9 #20

Or some other public service jmowreader Apr 9 #34

I grew up during the VietNam draft MurrayDelph Apr 9 #51

Interesting my number was 225 49jim Apr 9 #65

We had no popsdenver Apr 9 #76

My number was 154, I was a 2S, and the moment I graduated in 71 I was called up for my lostincalifornia Apr 10 #88

We had no popsdenver Apr 9 #75

Good response 617Blue Apr 9 #22

Agree modrepub Apr 9 #26

Agree in concept too RT Atlanta Apr 9 #32

All those things should be accomplished by public school. TBF Apr 9 #37

It doesn't have to be "fighting wars" GenThePerservering Apr 9 #54

I wouldn't be opposed to a mandatory service of various types TBF Apr 9 #64

But, there are other roles in the military than those just fighting wars SpankMe Apr 9 #66

We have one already. dixiegrrrrl Apr 9 #38

JFK started the Peace Corps in 1961 Wednesdays Apr 9 #58

Seniors in high school JBTaurus83 Apr 9 #40

Many of them do. oberle Apr 9 #79

I wish they had that JBTaurus83 Apr 9 #81

You made the one point I always make NHvet Apr 9 #50

Whats the emergency??--maybe Trumpy invading Greenland??? riversedge Apr 9 #28

Trump thinks we've been in an emergency since Obama was elected. Walleye Apr 9 #29

Republicans always have to make up new terms for things. Arthur_Frain Apr 9 #42

"Military excursion", which doesn't even make sense, is his name for war Walleye Apr 9 #49

"Pre-dawn, vertical insertion" Arthur_Frain Apr 9 #53

I think Trump means incursion, but he doesn't know the English language very well and he's stupid Walleye Apr 9 #56

Stephen Miller wrote his speech with the word "incursion" FakeNoose Apr 9 #80

The criminal thug bdamomma Apr 9 #71

Tsk tsk, hereditary bone spurs are no laughing matter Johnny2X2X Apr 9 #3

Yes. I still hold out hope that some philanthropist will do a "Billionaire Boys With Bone Spurs" Telethon Miles Archer Apr 9 #5

"LURCH!" Love it!!!! MyOwnPeace Apr 9 #4

It's perfect. I'm ticked I didn't think of that. Greybnk48 Apr 9 #11

6'9" and growing? 3825-87867 Apr 9 #18

It CAN happen ITAL Apr 9 #21

Melania is extremely tall for a woman karynnj Apr 9 #31

Barron is very tall, but has extremely small hands, so... Omnipresent Apr 9 #36

What ITAL said! Ilsa Apr 9 #33

At age 80, Krasnov was probably 6'1" or 6'2" Ilsa Apr 9 #35

He's 79. He Was 6'2" In Military School, And There No Evidence He's Shrunk.... ColoringFool Apr 9 #62

I rounded up his age since he'll be 80 in 2 months. Ilsa Apr 9 #68

That puts him 1" over the upper limit allowed for servicemen, IIRC. TheRickles Apr 9 #41

He could request a waiver in order to serve (spoiler: he never would) Rob H. Apr 9 #60

And with his dad supporting the waiver, it'd sail right through. TheRickles Apr 9 #63

You mean the draft, Piggy? Ocelot II Apr 9 #6

Yeah EuterpeThelo Apr 9 #13

These kids won't be happy MustLoveBeagles Apr 9 #17

True, this generation is not been groomed for military service like ours was Walleye Apr 9 #30

Oh yes bdamomma Apr 9 #70

Trump, never one to dabble with the history books, doesn't see it coming. Baitball Blogger Apr 9 #7

Planning more mitary excursions, is he? sinkingfeeling Apr 9 #8

Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Greenland once he pulls out of NATO. OGBuzz Apr 9 #12

He's getting more and more like Putin every day. dem4decades Apr 9 #9

He's following bdamomma Apr 9 #72

And it's one two three four multigraincracker Apr 9 #10

Trump::: Your sons, not mine. Norrrm Apr 9 #16

Oh, Nobody Will Object to That... MineralMan Apr 9 #19

You know where I am. Come and get me. twodogsbarking Apr 9 #23

NYMA is not prestigious Aviation Pro Apr 9 #24

gums, lurch and kai* should be the very first, and all the of-age offspring niyad Apr 9 #27

Air drip that turkey baster anchor baby into Tehran Submariner Apr 9 #39

This could very easily be one of "they say" things. WinstonSmith4740 Apr 9 #43

He threatened to disown his kids if they enlisted nt Bookreadingliberal53 Apr 9 #61

Wants/needs younger, strong males to be under his authority so they can't fight his fascists ruining the nation? Attilatheblond Apr 9 #44

Send ICE bdamomma Apr 9 #73

Asshat McBonespur says what? Dave Bowman Apr 9 #45

Well, the Democratic Party will be getting a lot of new members....... ashredux Apr 9 #46

Let's Start With Barron Deep State Witch Apr 9 #47

Just one not-so-small problem nitpicked Apr 9 #48

Well, since the MAGAs think women shouldn't be in the military, The Madcap Apr 9 #52

Tell me? Traildogbob Apr 9 #57

I nominate Barron for the title of First Private! KY_EnviroGuy Apr 9 #59

This brings back memories....."emergency enlistment measures' surfered Apr 9 #67

DJT bdamomma Apr 9 #69

Brainspurs trump Wonder Why Apr 9 #74

He is going to be just like daddy. kacekwl Apr 9 #77

Sorry, but "Lurch" (love that!) can't be drafted: He inherited his dad's bone spurs. LaMouffette Apr 9 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Orrex Apr 9 #82

He's planning on using the military for his Figarosmom Apr 10 #83

Hope they like high rates of AWOL servicemembers and barracks that smell like pot. Crowman2009 Apr 10 #84

Don't forget Kai and Donald J Trump lll Blue Full Moon Apr 10 #85

K&R Scott Alan Swaggerty Apr 10 #86

I scrolled through the comments to see if anyone disliked the name-calling..... 70sEraVet Apr 10 #87