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As far as I know, the draft in the US has always had a minimum age of 18, and one could volunteer at 17, but only with a parent's consent. Most young men grow c
by cafard 4y ago
As far as I know, the draft in the US has always had a minimum age of 18, and one could volunteer at 17, but only with a parent's consent. Most young men grow considerably between 13 and 17.
- pessimizer 4y agoWhy is that relevant? There are also child soldiers even younger than 13, today. Just not in the US. Additionally, before the 21c US surveillance state, it was very easy to lie about your age in a way that would take a long time to verify. An enormous number of underage boys lied their way into WWII. If you were born at home, you may not have even had a birth certificate.
- LarryMullins 4y agoIn the 19th century the US Navy used boy seamen as young as 14. In 1909 the regulations were changed to be 17 with parental permission, 18 without. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_seaman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_seaman
- philwelch 4y agoAs late as WWII boys would routinely lie about their age to enlist early.