What was the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 (US)?

Introduction The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, also known as the Burke–Wadsworth Act, Pub. L. 76–783, 54 Stat. 885, enacted 16 September 1940, was the first peacetime conscription in United States history. This Selective Service Act required that men who had reached their 21st birthday but had not yet reached their 36th birthday… Read More

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What was the Selective Service Act of 1917?

Introduction The Selective Service Act of 1917 or Selective Draft Act (Pub.L. 65–12, 40 Stat. 76, enacted 18 May 1917) authorised the United States federal government to raise a national army for service in World War I through conscription. It was envisioned in December 1916 and brought to President Woodrow Wilson’s attention shortly after the… Read More

What is Conscription (in China)?

Introduction A conscription system is employed in China. In practice, mandatory military service has not been implemented since 1949 as the People’s Liberation Army has been able to recruit sufficient numbers voluntarily. Residents of the Special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macau, are exempted from joining the military. Registering for the Draft The Chinese system… Read More

What was Operation Magic Carpet?

Introduction Operation Magic Carpet was the post-World War II operation by the War Shipping Administration to repatriate over eight million American military personnel from the European, Pacific, and Asian theatres. Hundreds of Liberty ships, Victory ships, and troop transports began repatriating soldiers from Europe in June 1945. Beginning in October 1945, over 370 navy ships… Read More

What is the Selective Service System?

Introduction The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent agency of the United States government that maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription (i.e. the draft) and carries out contingency planning and preparations for two types of draft: A general draft based on registration lists of men aged 18-25; and A special-skills draft… Read More

What was the Berry Plan?

Introduction The Berry Plan was a Vietnam War-era programme in the United States that allowed physicians to defer obligatory military service until they had completed medical school and residency training. More than 42,000 physicians and surgeons were affected by the Berry Plan, named after Dr. Frank B. Berry, who served as the Assistant Secretary of… Read More