Males in the United States are still legally required to reigster for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday and can be fined or imprisoned for non-compliance. The maximum penalty for failing to register with Selective Service is a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Failure to register will cause ineligibility for a number of federal and state benefits.
Conscription in the United States, commonly known as the draft, has been employed by the federal government on three occasions. The third incarnation of the draft came into being in 1940 through the Selective Training and Service Act. It was the country’s first peacetime draft. From 1940 until 1973, during both peacetime and periods of conflict, men were drafted to fill vacancies in the armed forces which could not be filled through voluntary means. The draft was ended when the United States military moved to an all-volunteer military force. However, the Selective Service System remains in place as a contingency plan; men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register so that a draft can be readily resumed if needed.
South Africa has a no conscription (draft) policy.
On 24 August 1993 Minister of Defence Kobie Coetsee announced the end of conscription in South Africa.
At its peak, conscription in South Africa consisted of two years of mandatory military service, followed by camps at intervals. Under apartheid, the call-up applied to all white men after completing their schooling or further studies.
The Defense Amendment Bill, designed to make military service compulsory for White young men, was passed on 9 June 1967 – with the support of the opposition.
Initially Conscripts – who were all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years old – served for 9 months. Conscripts became members of the South African Defense Force (SADF), or the South African Police (SAP). They were used to enforce the government’s stance against liberation movements, anti-apartheid activists and the ‘communist threat’.
In 1972, conscription (national service) was increased from 9 months to 1 year, as well as 19 days of service annually for 5 years as part of the Citizen Force.
By the middle of 1974, control of northern Namibia was handed over to the South African Defense Force (SADF) from the South African Police (SAP), and in 1975, the SADF invaded Angola. To keep up with operational demands, Citizen Force members were then required to complete 3 month tours of duty.
In 1977, conscription was once again increased, this time to 2 years and 30 days annually for 8 years. Due to an increase in guerilla activity in the early 1980’s, camps were once again lengthened in 1982 to 720 days in total.
The End Conscription Campaign (ECC) was formed in 1983, in protest against compulsory military service. It mobilised support for its campaigns, proposed service alternatives, supported conscientious objectors and provided a forum for the public with information and education on conscription and the alternatives. The ECC was founded in response to a resolution passed by Black Sash at their annual conference, which condemned South Africa’s occupation of Namibia and charged the SADF with fighting a civil war.
Conscientious objection was a serious choice as the consequences were severe. The reasons for conscientious objection included political, ethical and religious reasons. Some religious organisations, parent groups and student organisations such as the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) also engaged in anti-conscription activities.
In 1989, conscription was reduced from two years to one year.
