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Vaguely related question. Should a draft begin, and you’re not keen on shipping out to the front lines. What could you do to avoid that that isn’t illegal? Say

Vaguely related question. Should a draft begin, and you’re not keen on shipping out to the front lines. What could you do to avoid that that isn’t illegal? Say I have a lot of experience in something that I would think the military would make better use of like ML. Is the move to sign up pre emptively to do that? Or would you assume to be assigned to such a role if capable?

snek 8y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector You can also pursue higher education. I don't have answers for what choices you have once you've actually joined the military.
hahajk 8y ago
Probably your best bet, given that there’s no college loopholes or similar, is to work for a DoD contractor like Lockheed. Active Duty doesn’t need ML experts (and active duty has little control over their assignments, so you’ll just as likely be configuring networks on the front lines.)
PhasmaFelis 8y ago
I believe if you volunteer, you have more input into where you're assigned, and if you have a valuable non-front-line talent that would factor in as well. So if you can't find some way to avoid it entirely, then I think volunteering before you're drafted would serve best.
paxys 8y ago
Bone spurs
rmcpherson 8y ago
You could become a conscientious objector, and it’s even possible to get out of the military this way (my father did). Unfortunately, the Selective Service does not recognize conscientious objectors when there is not a draft so it’s hard to get that status now.
- berbec 8y ago
  The selective service certainly recognizes conscientious objectors! They mark them for "special attention" [1] 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali#Vietnam_War_and_resistance_to_the_draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali#Vietnam_War_and_r...
  - rmcpherson 8y ago
    They do, but it's only possible to apply for CO status when drafted. You can not become a CO when registering with selective service. https://www.sss.gov/consobj https://www.sss.gov/consobj I know because I tried.
mter 8y ago
Be the average american male who is too fat and medicated to serve, or be in a skilled job that is important to the war effort. Do keep in mind that 90% of the jobs in the military aren't fighting on the front lines so chances are, you would be some support clerk.
- scruple 8y ago
  Poor vision, as well, is becoming a serious problem for recruitment.

snek 8y ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientious_objector You can also pursue higher education. I don't have answers for what choices you have once you've actually joined the military.

hahajk 8y ago

Probably your best bet, given that there’s no college loopholes or similar, is to work for a DoD contractor like Lockheed. Active Duty doesn’t need ML experts (and active duty has little control over their assignments, so you’ll just as likely be configuring networks on the front lines.)

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

I believe if you volunteer, you have more input into where you're assigned, and if you have a valuable non-front-line talent that would factor in as well. So if you can't find some way to avoid it entirely, then I think volunteering before you're drafted would serve best.

paxys 8y ago

Bone spurs

rmcpherson 8y ago

You could become a conscientious objector, and it’s even possible to get out of the military this way (my father did). Unfortunately, the Selective Service does not recognize conscientious objectors when there is not a draft so it’s hard to get that status now.

berbec 8y ago
The selective service certainly recognizes conscientious objectors! They mark them for "special attention" [1] 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali#Vietnam_War_and_resistance_to_the_draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali#Vietnam_War_and_r...
- rmcpherson 8y ago
  They do, but it's only possible to apply for CO status when drafted. You can not become a CO when registering with selective service. https://www.sss.gov/consobj https://www.sss.gov/consobj I know because I tried.

mter 8y ago

Be the average american male who is too fat and medicated to serve, or be in a skilled job that is important to the war effort. Do keep in mind that 90% of the jobs in the military aren't fighting on the front lines so chances are, you would be some support clerk.

scruple 8y ago
Poor vision, as well, is becoming a serious problem for recruitment.