People who have been freaking out about the link between the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the draft since the Iran airstrike have nothing to worry about.
Since Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed on January 3, there has been chatter about the likelihood of a new war. As people discussed the matter on social media, the FAFSA’s Selective Service mandate became a cause for concern.
just found out applying for fafsa means you signing up to be drafted… i just wanted money for college bro nothing in this shit country is for free fr i’m tired pic.twitter.com/yaiILyiKWY
— ً (@fredsfitzell) January 3, 2020
How all the college kids who didn’t read the fine print of the FAFSA applicant will be looking in 6 months: pic.twitter.com/4rDCJL3xgq
— Sean spence (@SpellCzeck) January 3, 2020
me: *tweakin bc I found out why fafsa was trending*
also me: *realizes I’m a female but checks just to make sure* pic.twitter.com/vewb4TQC4V— megan???? (@themainmeegan) January 3, 2020
Aye hold on I think signed up for selective service on my FAFSA pic.twitter.com/rHB8Ftct9K
— oscar. (@oscaar_2x) January 3, 2020
American citizens and non-citizen residents who were assigned male at birth are required to sign up for the Selective Service between the age of 18 and 25 years old. If they opt-out, they cannot receive federal financial aid. The only people who are exempt are inmates and active duty service members.
The panic was so intense, the Selective Service website crashed and the system’s Twitter account had to intervene, according to CBS News.
The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. In the event that a national emergency necessitates a draft, Congress and the President would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft. pic.twitter.com/M4tY2dLoX1
— Selective Service (@SSS_gov) January 3, 2020
“The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. In the event that a national emergency necessitates a draft, Congress and the President would need to pass official legislation to authorize a draft,” the tweet read.
FAFSA also took to its Twitter page to clear things up.
There is no priority order for Selective Service based on the FAFSA form (they use a random lottery number and year of birth).
More info: https://t.co/mJb1YvJaPC 2/2 https://t.co/LqnTAPokPp— Federal Student Aid (@FAFSA) January 3, 2020
“There is no priority order for Selective Service based on the FAFSA form (they use a random lottery number and year of birth),” FAFSA stated.
Additionally, military drafts haven't taken place since 1973 for the Vietnam War reports MarketWatch.
If you’re still shook, take it from an expert.
Georgetown professor Dan Byman told CNBC the likelihood of a draft is slim to none.
“One, there isn’t a need for large numbers of U.S. forces, given the current security environment,” he explained. “The way military operations have changed quite dramatically in recent decades, it requires a much more trained and professional force. A draft where people cycle in and out very quickly, actually isn’t that good for modern military operations.”
Additionally, there would have to be grave circumstances to justify the resurrection of the draft.
“It would have to be after some sort of massive crisis,” Byman added.
