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CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
Men who are required to register with Selective Service and who may be subject to a possible military draft may seek to file for status as a conscientious objector. According to the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (www.objector.org/), the legal definition of a conscientious objector is "A person who objects to participation in all forms of war, and whose belief is based on a religious, moral or ethical belief system".
REGISTERING AS A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
At the time of receiving a notice finding that the person is qualified for military service, he can make a claim to the Selective Service System (www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm) for classification as a Conscientious Objector. A local board will decide a person's CO status based on evidence presented at a hearing. The applicant can present written documentation and appearances by people who can attest to his beliefs. A local board's decision can be appealed to a Selective Service District Appeal Board.
ALTERNATIVE SERVICE
Conscientious Objectors opposed to serving in the military during a draft will be placed in an alternative service program. The program matches CO's with employers in areas such as conservation, caring for children or seniors, education, or health care. Length of service in the program will equal the length of time that the CO would have spent in the military, usually 2 years.
PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REGISTER FOR SELECTIVE SERVICE
Penalties for failing to register for Selective Service may include fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment up to five years. These penalties are unlikely to be enforced, but failing to register could also make you ineligible for federal student financial aid, federal employment, job training, or U.S. naturalization. Certain states may also bar student aid or government employment for failure to register with Selective Service.Organizations such as the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors and the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (www.centeronconscience.org/) can provide further information for men between the ages of 18 and 25 who face Selective Service registration, but object to participating in a possible future military draft or war.
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TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: Selective Service System
SOURCES: Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors website; The National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors website; Selective Service System website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2007
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