Jon's blog: "Rnating and Raving of one sent back."

While the standard draft that many older readers may remember that ended in 1973.  Now, there is a Selective Service System which requires that all men between 18 and 25 register for in case the draft needs to be resumed.  Oddly enough, I am a 26 year man that has served my country, was not allowed to re-enlist, and therefore got out in February 2010 in order to start my civilian life.  On April 29, orders were then drawn up for me saying that I had to report in South Carolina in June for Mobilization.  Due to that, I had to quit my job and my career path, pack up a house, and do everything required to leave without the assistance of a base, nor the services provided from living on a base to help with these matters.

My friends, I say to you that there is a draft.  I unfortunately have to quote John Kerry in saying that there is a “back door” draft.  Those that have served willing during the war effort are being called back to deploy again.  The orders state that deployment from these orders aren’t subject to the cumulative deployment time, and that even if you would be put over that time limit that the Army was subject to following , they aren’t subject to that time limit anymore.

 Knowing people that are being called back, that others are being ‘stop-lossed’ why would anyone ever volunteer for anything less than 8 years of service.  Also, being 8 years of a service obligation now, that is a hefty price to pay for some, so that would discourage those that want to serve the country for say 4-5 years from ever signing up. 

Personally, I would have been okay with continuing my active duty service, but being told that I wasn’t allowed to re-enlist regardless, and then started my civilian life… Well, needless to say, I am now incredibly upset at the fact that I had started my life and now have to quit everything in order to go back.  I have been drafted.  There is no other way to describe the feeling, and the effect on my life.  The only difference from an actual draft in the U.S. and the draft that I have been subjected to is that people are surprised by this one.  No one that I knew was able to understand why I had to go back after just having gotten out, nor were many believing that I had been drafted until shown the orders that I had received.

So my friends, I have been drafted and am off to be held at the government’s convenience for a year or so.  Enjoy your peaceful lives while I am gone.