Bill Clinton: “Selective Service System May 18, 1994 The President has announced that he has approved a National Security Council…”

“Selective Service System May 18, 1994 The President has announced that he has approved a National Security Council recommendation to maintain peacetime draft registration and the Selective Service System (SSS). In letters to the House and Senate, the President stated that ``. . . it is essential to our national security to continue draft registration and the Selective Service System. While tangible military requirements alone do not currently make a mass call-up of American young men likely, there are three reasons I believe we should maintain both the SSS and the draft registration requirement.'' First, the President stated that the SSS and registration provide ``. . . a hedge against unforeseen threats and a relatively low cost `insurance policy' against our underestimating the maximum level of threat we expect our Armed Forces to face.'' Next, ``. . . terminating the SSS and draft registration now could send the wrong signal to our potential enemies who are watching for signs of U.S. resolve.'' And finally, ``. . . as fewer and fewer members of our society have direct military experience, it is increasingly important to maintain the link between the All Volunteer Force and our society at large.…”