Call us naive, but we never thought of this! 

The Selective Service System has written to our 21 year old son.  As a new Green Card holder, and therefore Permanent Resident of the United States, he has been automatically registered for eligibility to be conscripted into the US army. 

There is no mandatory conscription in the USA but the Selective Service System remains in place as a contingency.  All young men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register so that a draft can be more readily resumed in the event of war.

So, a very nice letter arrived with lots of pretty pictures illustrating various career opportunities in the Military - including the Reserves and the National Guard. 

Discover the career you were born to pursue.

Choosing a career is a big decision. What do you love to do? What are you good at? Join the Military and find out.

More than 4,000 jobs to explore.

Today's Military offers literally thousands of job opportunities. Many are in today's hottest fields, including technology, environmental sciences and medical care.

88% of our jobs train you for a career outside the Military.

From engineer to chef, photographer to x-ray technician, virtually any civilian career can start here. Better yet, you'll get paid, and receive excellent benefits, including 30 days' paid vacation and medical and dental care.

The 21 year old son is thrilled!  He wants to know if he can become an officer if he joins up.

"What!" I exclaimed. "You want to join the army and go to Afghanistan or Iraq and get killed?"

Quick as a flash he responded "I can easily get killed on the streets of London".

Sadly, I simply can't argue with that impeccable logic.