Tom Philpott
has been breaking news for and about military
people since 1977. After service in the Coast
Guard, and 17 years as a reporter and senior
editor with Army Times Publishing Company,
Tom launched "Military Update,"
his syndicated weekly news column, in 1994.
"Military Update" features timely
news and analysis on issues affecting active
duty members, reservists, retirees and their
families. Tom also edits a reader reaction
column, "Military Forum." The online
"home" for both features is Military.com.
Tom’s freelance articles have appeared in
numerous magazines including The New Yorker,
Reader's Digest and Washingtonian.
His critically-acclaimed book, Glory Denied,
on the extraordinary ordeal and heroism of
Col. Floyd "Jim" Thompson, the longest-held
prisoner of war in American history, is available
in hardcover and paperback.
Readers of Tom Philpott's "Military Update" column sound
off
June 10, 2005
I am a military retiree applying for a federal civilian job and have run across a glitch: a requirement to have registered for Selective Service.
I was born in 1960. Before my 18th birthday, I was selected to attend the U.S. Military Academy. I reported and was sworn in July 1978. I graduated and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry in May 1982. I served continuously on active duty until retirement in 2002.
President Carter reinstated the draft registration requirement in 1980 making it retroactive for males born in 1960 and later. I already was on active duty as a West Point cadet. This would lead one to believe I was exempt from the requirement. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case. I do not meet the strict requirement for Selective Service registration and thus may be ineligible for federal employment. I know there are
provisions for demonstrating that my failure to register was not "knowing and willful" but I can find no evidence that my 20 years of service qualifies.
I have to sign a Selective Service status statement to land a federal civilian job. Is this going to be a glitch that blocks my being hired? Is there some way to proactively address this? I would like to avoid a lengthy adjudication process especially as I am seeking a supervisory position.
It seems the simple solution would be to amend the law so persons who served honorably are automatically exempt from draft registration, and avoid this uncomfortable, insulting and unnecessary situation.
R. J.
Via e-mail
You're right. Until the law is changed, however, veterans and retirees in your situation are advised to contact the Selective Service System and request a letter explaining that Section 12(g) of the Military Selective Service Act, which provides relief from the registration requirement when failure to register is not "knowing and willful." The letter will state that as long as you present a DD214 (Report of Separation), failure to register should not be a bar to any benefit or privilege connected to registration.
Write to: Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Selective Service System, National Headquarters, Arlington, VA 22209-2425 or call (703) 605-4100. – Tom Philpott
Formula Check
I appreciate the excellent insight you provided into what the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission is looking at (May 12 Military Update). They don't like the smell of the number of veterans rated unemployable (IU) and drawing compensation at the 100-percent level. But they should look at the way veterans' overall disability ratings are formulated to put things in proper perspective.
The fair thing to do is add each percentage of disability rather than the current method, a clever formula to dilute the overall disability. I know veterans who have disability ratings of more than 150 percent, when each individual disability rating is totaled, but their overall disability falls short of 100 percent under the VA formula. That definitely is not fair!
F. NEWMAN
Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
No Comparison
Please don't insult our intelligence that Wal-Mart is comparable with Army and Air Forces exchange prices. Wal-Mart has junk. The PX and BX stores have brand name stuff tax free and better "sales" and "clearance sales" than any Wal-Mart ever had or ever will have.
We live a one-hour drive from the nearest base and we drive there every Sunday to shop at the exchange and commissary. If this base should close, we'd move out of state to be close to a base again.
BARBARA GOODE
Louisville, Ky.
Older Guardsmen
I want to tip my hat to Tom Philpott for his Military Forum comments on lowering the retirement age for National Guard members, and to thank Rep. Jim Saxton and Sen. Jon Corzine for their bills (HR 783 and S 639). They shouldn't don't give up.
As to Under Secretary of Defense David S.C. Chu, who says lowering reserve retirement age below 60 would not help recruiting, I say maybe so. But what about helping those of us with 20 years or more in who plan to retire soon? Those who served in Desert Storm and more recently in Iraq or Afghanistan, who have bled or been crippled. We don't matter?
It would be nice to know we are treated more like our fulltime active duty military brothers and not as a step-child. I have 20-plus years in. It would be reassuring to know I could retire at 55 instead of 60.
Mr. Under Secretary, you need think more about National Guard soldiers who have helped to keep you and this country safe and free.
DON HOXSEY
Staff Sergeant
Medical Detachment-Idaho
Via e-mail
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I am upset about what I read regarding prospects for lowering the age of reserve retirement. I've been in the Army and its National Guard since 1983 and am still serving. I could serve 16 more years. But I'm ashamed to say our government does not care about older troops.
A new troop who joins for six years can get a $15,000 bonus. That's a good deal. But six years down the road and he gets out, did the military get its money's worth? Did all the training and schools pay off? Probably not, because that soldier was only interested in the money.
Contrast that to an older soldier. I'm committed to doing everything in my power to get the mission done. I'm by no means perfect. I'm getting into my early 40's. But that has nothing to do with my commitment to serve.
I am now in over 16 years and can no longer get a bonus, even while here in Iraq. I have never received a bonus but now would be a good time. I reenlisted for six more years to go with my unit, even after my wife told me to get out. I would not leave my unit when it needed me the most. And I will probably stay in because I'm that kind of soldier. I'm not tooting my own horn but I believe in my unit and want them all to make
it home safe. Anything I can do to achieve that I will do. We complete a new soldier's training and instill good values and skills.
Don't forget about the older soldiers.
JOHN S. JONES
Staff Sergeant
2/278TH Regimental Combat Team
Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Write to Military
Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111, send e-mail to
militaryforum@aol.com or
visit www.militaryupdate.com
