The Selective Service System is an independent federal agency whose mission is to maintain a system which can promptly and efficiently furnish untrained manpower for induction into the Armed Forces during a national emergency. Virtually all men must register with Selective Service when they turn 18.

The agency has over 10,600 uncompensated, volunteer board members serving on more than 2,100 boards. Spread throughout America, there are three types of SSS Boards-local, district appeal, and civilian review. They are diversely representative of the communities and districts they serve. In a draft, local and district Appeal Board Members decide who among the registered young men filing claims in their communities or districts will receive deferments, postponements, or exemptions from military service, based on national guidelines, regulations, and a review of each registrant's circumstances and beliefs. Civilian review board members would deal with claims filed by men whom the local and district appeal boards have classified as conscientious objectors and ordered to perform 24 months of "alternative service" in lieu of military service.

There are vacancies on the various boards that serve the Rochester area. To be eligible to serve on the board, one must:
•Not be a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
•Not be a retired member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
•Be a U.S. citizen.
•Not be a compensated employee of the Selective Service System.
•Not be a spouse of an employee of the Selective Service System.
•Not be judge or member of law enforcement.

The time commitment is small: the initial training is 12 hours, followed by four hours of refresher training every year. Board members are reimbursed for expenses associated with training. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Robert Broderick at 352-8913.