A Selective Service local board is a group of five citizen volunteers whose mission, upon a draft, will be to decide who among the registrants in their community will receive deferments, postponements, or exemption from military service based on the individual registrant’s circumstances and beliefs.
https://www.sss.gov/About/Agency-Structure/Local-Boards
How Local Board Members are Appointed
Local board members are appointed by the Director of Selective Service in the name of the President, on recommendations made by their respective state governors or an equivalent public official. If you are interest in serving as a local board member, you may apply online for an application package.
Some requirements to be a board member are that they be:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Men must have registered with Selective Service, except those born from March 29, 1957 through December 31, 1959
- Must not be a member of law enforcement occupation as defined by Selective Service policy (example: police officer or judge)
- Must not be an active or retired career member of the Armed Forces or Reserves or National Guard
- Must not have been convicted of any criminal offense
During Peacetime –
The board member program is one of the primary components of the Selective Service System. Approximately 11,000 volunteers are currently trained in Selective Service regulations and procedures so that if a draft is reinstated, they will be able to fulfill their obligations fairly and equitably. Board members undergo an initial 8-hour training session and then participate in annual training in which they review sample cases similar to real-life situations.
During a Draft –
Registrants with low lottery numbers will be ordered to report for a physical, mental, and moral evaluation at a Military Entrance Processing Station to determine whether they are fit for military service. Once he is notified of the results of the evaluation, a registrant will be given 10 days to file a claim for exemption, postponement, or deferment. At that time, board members will begin reviewing and deciding the outcome of the individual registrant’s case. They may personally interview the registrant and persons who know him to gain a better understanding of his situation. A man may appeal a Local Board’s decision to a Selective Service District Appeal Board.
