At 01:50 PM 3/30/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>Drafting was and still is a civilian event. I don't think draft boards
>(founded here during the US Civil War) were ever considered part of the
>military.
>
>They were/are actually more akin to elections boards and were [/are?]
>locally run in conjunction with military recruiting.
>
>Today the Selective Service System is part of the civilian govt.
>
>Therefore the files were/are probably considered civilian records.
>
>For the most part, the military is your office of record after you are
>inducted. (Which one reason why they induct you at the recruiting
>office, or at the selective service board, and not at the base. Keeps
>people from legally jumping off the buses on the way to boot camp...)

Good points.

I would think that once you ARE selected though, that the draft card would
become part of your official military record, seeing as that's how they
"enticed" you =)

And because these go back as far as the Civil War, it would seem to make
research on individuals that may have (or actually DID) serve in the
military much easier.

 From www.sss.gov

The Selective Service System is an independent agency within the Executive
Branch of the federal government. The Director of Selective Service is
appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Also, if the Selective Service is part of the "civilian government"
(independent agency)... why would NARA have control of the records??

Just curious....

Larry

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