US Draft???

"I got a letter from United States Government Selective Service System, and basically it said now that I am 18, I have to register. And if I don't I can face a fine or imprisonment. I didn't know what it really was, so I went online and googled it and read some stuff on it. And so I basically now have to fill it out and such. But I have a question, by filling all this stuff out what does it mean exactly? If there was a draft or something, does it mean I will be drafted into the US Army?"
~Anon

Dear Anon,

It is US law that all men at the age of 18 (and if we can get it passed, women too) have to sign a SSS Draft Registration. It's like registering to vote, but mandatory. All it means is that as long as you have no children, are unmarried and are not the only child in your family that you might, in the event of WW3 nuclear holocaust be called to defend your country. But as it stands now, these chances are minimal. Here's how a military drafting works in 2009 (any references to Vietnam will hence be ignored as the laws have changed since then.):

1. Active duty troops
2. Reserve Troops
3. Military basic Training Units (still in training, active duty troops)
4. Reservists basic Training Troops (still in training, reservists)
5. National Guard/Coast Guard
6. Retired/Former Military Personnel
7. Military Schools (West Point, USAFA etc.)
8. Other ROTC Programs
9. Avg Joe Citizen***

***there are many exceptions, see below:

High school students - A high school student younger than age 20 may postpone his induction as long as he is a full-time student doing satisfactory work. High school students who turn 20 in their senior year may also postpone their induction.
College students - A college senior may postpone his induction for the remainder of the academic year. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors may postpone their induction until the end of the semester.
Religious ministers - Practicing religious ministers are exempt from military service. Ministerial students - Full-time students working toward becoming ordained ministers in a recognized religion are deferred from service.
Armed forces on active duty - Military personnel, including active National Guardsmen, Reservists, and select personnel in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Public Health Service, are deferred from induction as they are already serving the country.
Select men with dependents - If a man's induction would cause extreme hardships for his dependents, he may be eligible for a hardship deferment.
Select government officials - Judges and a range of elected officials, including governors, mayors and legislators (both state legislators and U.S. congressmen) are all deferred.
Select aliens and dual nationals - Certain groups of aliens, as well as U.S. citizens who also claim citizenship in select nations, may be eligible for deferment.
Conscientious objectors - Men who are opposed to engaging in combat or serving in the military at all due to deeply held religious or moral beliefs may be specially assigned.

for further information see: http://people.howstuffworks.com/us-draft2.htm

~S