Military Career – 20 Years In – Retirement, But Not Eligible Because Didn’t Register For Draft?

Is it possible that if I join the military now, at 34 years old, and unfortunately did not register for the draft because I was in and out of the country and didn’t have a stable permanent address, that when it comes time to retire at 55, I will lose my retirement benefits because I didn’t register?
I understand that one of the consequences of not registering for the draft is the ineligibility to receive federal funds.
I want to build a military career, and they will let me enlist, the rest of my record is perfectly clean… but I’m concerned this fine print could be a BIG problem 20 years from now.
Thank you for your informed opinions.

4 comments to Military Career – 20 Years In – Retirement, But Not Eligible Because Didn’t Register For Draft?

  • Chuck J

    I am not even certain that you are required to register at age 34. Go to the Post office and fill the card out, it will take maybe 3 minutes and that will be that. Nothing is going to happen and I doubt you will ever hear a thing about it no matter what you do.

  • jonn449

    don’t worry, the recruiter will make sure you have registered in the “package” of documents you’ll be filling out before shipping out.
    I didn’t sign up years ago when the law came out in 1980, when I was 20. Joined the summer after the law came into effect, but the recruiter did it for me without my knowledge.

  • oldsould

    uhh not very likely at all. ol uncle sam will cough it up if he owes it to you, he hates bad press (or well trained soldiers who aren’t afraid to take the gloves off)

  • [...] jamesgundun wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIs it possible that if I join the military now, at 34 years old, and unfortunately did not register for the draft because I was in and out of the country and didn’t have a stable permanent address, that when it comes time to retire at 55, I will lose my retirement benefits because I didn’t register? I understand that one of the consequences of not registering for the draft is the ineligibility to receive federal funds. I want to build a military career, and they will let me enlist, the rest of my record is perfectly clean… but I’m concerned this fine print could be a BIG problem 20 years from now. Thank you for your informed opinions. [...]

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