Trump wants to reinstate Vietnam-era "emergency enlistment measures." Good. Let's start with his 20 y.o. son, Lurch.

[Miles Archer]

The Trump administration’s Selective Service System (SSS), an agency that keeps tabs on draft-age Americans, has proposed doing away with self-registration for enlistment and instead automatically updating its lists with names drawn from other federal databases.

Federal law already requires men between the ages of 18 and 25 to register with the agency in case the president decides to issue a military draft order. SSS expects eligible candidates to self-register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, but otherwise allows men to file late submissions until age 26.

Trump mandated the new rules, which remain under review pending regulatory approval, in December of last year. Trump’s rules suggest that the president is interested in using emergency enlistment measures the U.S. has not otherwise activated since 1973, during the Vietnam War.

Trump, who attended the New York Military Academy, a prestigious military-style boarding school, did not serve in that conflict, or in any other capacity in the U.S. armed forces. In fact, the president avoided the draft on no fewer than five separate occasions—four times using a student deferment, and a fifth time for medical reasons.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/draft-dodging-peace-president-donald-trump-to-register-boys-for-military-draft-at-18/

[Walleye]

1. "Emergency enlistment measures"? Please it's a draft he's talking about.

If we had passed the rights amendment, they wouldn’t be pulling this shit

[617Blue]

2. They want mandatory mil service eventually like our great ally.

[JBTaurus83]

14. With low pay I assume.

[enigmania]

25. Low pay with no food stamps or anything else.

[Traildogbob]

55. Wait!

Are you saying they will not get paid like ICE, with bonuses and reward pay for capturing brown folk, and a guarantee of never being shot at and you can shoot anyone you don’t like and NEVER face charges?
So I guess all draftees will join ICE to not be pawns in our military, and avoid being suckers and losers.
Wondering, will current ICE thugs get drafted?????

[liberalgunwilltravel]

15. As a veteran

I would be all for some form of mandatory service, be it military or some other government program for everyone, men and women. It would go a long way to making this a more egalitarian society. And it would force the interactions between people who otherwise would never even meet. The purpose and reality of such service would not be to promote more conflicts, in fact it would likely have the opposite effect, since more people would have skin in the game. That said, I wouldn’t support such an action under the current administration.

[evolves]

20. I agree.

Some sort of compulsory service either in the military, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps would go a long way towards building camaraderie in this country.

[jmowreader]

34. Or some other public service

Police, firefighting, teaching, healthcare…the list is endless.

[MurrayDelph]

51. I grew up during the VietNam draft

My draft number was 225, in a year where they'd announced they would not go above 125, and ended the draft before that.

I would have made a lousy soldier, but was studying at the time to become a teacher. If they had offered that I provide my services as a teacher as a way to serve, that would have been acceptable to me.

[49jim]

65. Interesting my number was 225

also in the first draft drawing December 1, 1969. I was able to keep that number being enrolled full time in college.
I graduated May 1971, my draft board went to 200 and called numbers up to 215 for draft physicals. So I wasn’t called.
I was able to secure a teaching position and was married June 1971.
Often wondered what direction our life would have taken if I was drafted.

[popsdenver]

76. We had no

"lottery" in 1967, and McNamara was drafting anyone and everyone, especially Blacks and people with an IQ as low as 70....

[lostincalifornia]

88. My number was 154, I was a 2S, and the moment I graduated in 71 I was called up for my

physical. I was able to get out of it because of.high blood pressure, but had to have it rechecked 3 different times.

The Vietnam Nam “experiment” was finally winding down, but the wasted lives lost and ruined for an undeclared war, based on a lie with the Gulf Of Tonkin resolution was a disaster.

It was those that weren’t wealthy or had influence whose sons and daughters were sacrificed.

[popsdenver]

75. We had no

"lottery" in 1967, and McNamara was drafting anyone and everyone, especially Blacks and people with an IQ as low as 70....

[617Blue]

22. Good response

A national service program not a bad idea. Might bring us more together.

[modrepub]

26. Agree

It would also provide a lot more push back against military conflict in general by giving folks first hand experience with politicians’ war mongering.

I think civilian involvement in Vietnam via the draft eventually turned the county against the war once folks who served on the front lines returned and started sharing their experiences. We’ve had wars turned into video games removing all the trauma and senselessness war actually creates. Reality is much different, hence it’s why a lot of people never bat an eye during military conflicts that don’t directly affect them.

[RT Atlanta]

32. Agree in concept too

But is the current circumstances that make me say no effin way..... my children are not going to be cannon fodder for israel

[TBF]

37. All those things should be accomplished by public school.

You don't need to enlist in fighting wars to put people in an environment where they have to deal with other people.

[GenThePerservering]

54. It doesn't have to be "fighting wars"

And all I ever met in high school were people like myself. I think the idea has metit. Having said that, I wouldn't want to institute that under the current administration!

[TBF]

64. I wouldn't be opposed to a mandatory service of various types

like we see in Israel. But Israel also provides their people with universal healthcare, so I'd like to see that up there for consideration also. And, yes, nothing sane is going to come from this regime. Under other administrations we could actually have conversations about these kinds of ideas.

[SpankMe]

66. But, there are other roles in the military than those just fighting wars

There are cooks, drivers, communications techs, mechanics, lawyers, civil engineers, electricians, plumbers, information technologists, researchers, analysis, intelligence, doctors, nurses, medical lab techs, accountants, secretaries...the list goes on and on. A very small number actually get involved in combat ops, per se. And all of these are operational even during peacetime.

The military is practically a whole society within a society. It has all of the same functions and disciplines, just on a much more structured level - perfect for post-high school training, discipline and socialization. Public school doesn't cover all the same bases that national service would. National service - be it the military, peace coprs, Americorps, forrest service, whatever - would be a great follow-on for non college-bound Americans.

I wouldn't balk on mandatory national public service - as long as kids aren't forced into combat roles and can chose a skills discipline to their liking.

But, as other have said, I don't approve of executing it at this time with this administration. Mainly because this administration can eat my ass.

[dixiegrrrrl]

38. We have one already.

It's called the Peace Corps. IIRC, it popped up in early 70's as option to the draft.
Still going strong, tho only 3,000 or so members.

[Wednesdays]

58. JFK started the Peace Corps in 1961

It was a plank in his presidential campaign. I've been to the spot at the University of Michigan where he announced his plan.

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/peace-corps

[JBTaurus83]

40. Seniors in high school

Should have to do something for their communities for a few hours each month as a requirement of graduation.

[oberle]

79. Many of them do.

Where I lived in Ohio many of them work in a thrift store that serves to send supplies to Ukraine. Many volunteered at the Columbus Zoo. Most of the high schools in the DC area have that as a requirement also.

[JBTaurus83]

81. I wish they had that

In my small town when I graduated. I’m 43, and I have a 25 yr old sister. A lot has changed since I was in school!

[NHvet]

50. You made the one point I always make

when asked what I felt I got out of the service. It was the interactions I would have never had otherwise, the people I would have never met, eat with and had drinks with and lived amongst. I found people are the same everywhere, they want life, worth, family and security.

[riversedge]

28. Whats the emergency??--maybe Trumpy invading Greenland???

[Walleye]

29. Trump thinks we've been in an emergency since Obama was elected.

He doesn’t know the meaning of “clear and present danger”. In fact, he doesn’t know the meaning of any words, he uses them anyway.

[Arthur_Frain]

42. Republicans always have to make up new terms for things.

It helps them twist the words better.

“Food Insecure” vs hungry people

“Housing Challenged” vs homeless

Sanitize the conversation so it’s easier to do nothing about any problems.

[Walleye]

49. "Military excursion", which doesn't even make sense, is his name for war

[Arthur_Frain]

53. "Pre-dawn, vertical insertion"

Is what they labeled Grenada lest we forget.

[Walleye]

56. I think Trump means incursion, but he doesn't know the English language very well and he's stupid

[FakeNoose]

80. Stephen Miller wrote his speech with the word "incursion"

Chump probably has trouble reading without glasses, but he's too vain to wear them in public, so he misread the word as "excursion" rather than the way it was written.

What are we gonna do with an almost 80-year-old man who needs glasses and a hearing aid, but he's too vain to admit he needs either one. Ay-yi-yi. He needs to retire (or BE retired) immediately.

[bdamomma]

71. The criminal thug

thinks he's bringing back the 70's, that how demented he is.

[Johnny2X2X]

3. Tsk tsk, hereditary bone spurs are no laughing matter

They affect thousands of children of billionaires every war.

[Miles Archer]

5. Yes. I still hold out hope that some philanthropist will do a "Billionaire Boys With Bone Spurs" Telethon

I think that if we can only raise awareness, we can help.

[MyOwnPeace]

4. "LURCH!" Love it!!!!

[Greybnk48]

11. It's perfect. I'm ticked I didn't think of that.

[3825-87867]

18. 6'9" and growing?

from stock that's 6 feet?
I smell HGH at an early age to make sure he's "royal".
Just a thought, and as an anchor baby, who's your daddy comes to mind.

[ITAL]

21. It CAN happen

It's not common, but I've definitely unusual height differences between parents and their kids. I grew up with a guy who had parents on the average to short side (maybe 5'3 for the mom and 5'7 for the dad) and their son was at least 6'4.

[karynnj]

31. Melania is extremely tall for a woman

so it is not surprising that she has an extremely tall son.

[Omnipresent]

36. Barron is very tall, but has extremely small hands, so...

Grabbing at airplanes from on top of the Empire State Building won’t work for the orange orangutan’s son.

[Ilsa]

33. What ITAL said!

I have a married cousin who is about 5'9" or 5'10". Her husband is about 6'2" or 6'3". Their daughter is cracking on around 6'. She was half a foot taller than the tallest classmate since elementary school.

You never know what genetics can render along with a good diet and exercise.

[Ilsa]

35. At age 80, Krasnov was probably 6'1" or 6'2"

twenty years ago. Our frames weaken with age. I've lost ½" in height.

[ColoringFool]

62. He's 79. He Was 6'2" In Military School, And There No Evidence He's Shrunk....

Indeed, Trump’s official medical report is that he is 6'3"!

[Ilsa]

68. I rounded up his age since he'll be 80 in 2 months.

I think trump has publicly pushed his numbers up and down, added lifts, lied about his weight, etc, according to what suits him in the moment. Still, it isn't unusual to have lost 1-3 inches due to spinal disc degeneration, lack of exercise, and other issues by age 80, with most of the loss after age 70.

[TheRickles]

41. That puts him 1" over the upper limit allowed for servicemen, IIRC.

[Rob H.]

60. He could request a waiver in order to serve (spoiler: he never would)

My dad served early on in his US Navy career with a sailor who had done just that.

[TheRickles]

63. And with his dad supporting the waiver, it'd sail right through.

[Ocelot II]

6. You mean the draft, Piggy?

Let's see how well that works out for you. You think the young 'uns are pissed off now? Just wait...

[EuterpeThelo]

13. Yeah

forced conscription ought to win hearts and minds. Just like it did in 'nam. (Do I need the sarcasm thingy?)

[MustLoveBeagles]

17. These kids won't be happy

Neither will their parents, some of whom voted for the jackass.

[Walleye]

30. True, this generation is not been groomed for military service like ours was

I think the boys would just refuse to go, Like their orange daddy did

[bdamomma]

70. Oh yes

Ocelot II all hell will break loose. Young people aren't going to die for Israel.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Trump, never one to dabble with the history books, doesn't see it coming.

Vietnam's conscriptions were a lesson in why you don't conscript. Too many soldiers were not happy to be there and didn't like the idea of being ordered around by college educated lieutenants who had no field experience. If they found one who was especially incompetent, they fragged them as a form of survival.

This time around, no one likes the cause and no one likes the leader who will send them there. If the MAGAs are in the minority in the barracks they will never have a good night's sleep.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Planning more mitary excursions, is he?

[OGBuzz]

12. Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Greenland once he pulls out of NATO.

[dem4decades]

9. He's getting more and more like Putin every day.

Needs bodies for his war machine.

[bdamomma]

72. He's following

Putin's orders to scrap NATO too. That was one of his many orders from Putin.

Like Orrex says each day, "Is He Dead Yet?"

[multigraincracker]

10. And it's one two three four

We don’t want your dirty war.

Back to the 60s

[Norrrm]

16. Trump::: Your sons, not mine.

Someone commented that the Army upped their enlistment age to 42 so Eric can now enlist.
He has a college degree, so make him an officer.

[MineralMan]

19. Oh, Nobody Will Object to That...

I can't even imagine, really...

[twodogsbarking]

23. You know where I am. Come and get me.

[Aviation Pro]

24. NYMA is not prestigious

It’s reform school for wealthy, future child rapists.

[niyad]

27. gums, lurch and kai* should be the very first, and all the of-age offspring

Last edited Thu Apr 9, 2026, 11:51 AM - Edit history (1)

of every "r" member of congress, and the cabinet of kkklowns.

*yes, I know we don't draft women, but she loves her grampy so much, surely she will volunteer???

[Submariner]

39. Air drip that turkey baster anchor baby into Tehran

then when his body bag arrives at Dover for the honorable transfer to his mother and pedo dad, maybe she will answer the calling of the Great Orrex and end this living hell for all of us.

[WinstonSmith4740]

43. This could very easily be one of "they say" things.

But I remember reading a while back that at one point Don Jr. was considering enlisting in the Army, and Mango Mussolini threatened to disown him if he did.

[Bookreadingliberal53]

61. He threatened to disown his kids if they enlisted nt

I’m sure Fred Trump was the same.

[Attilatheblond]

44. Wants/needs younger, strong males to be under his authority so they can't fight his fascists ruining the nation?

[bdamomma]

73. Send ICE

there's plenty of them!!!!! Those Jan 6th Insurrectionists would be willing.

[Dave Bowman]

45. Asshat McBonespur says what?

[ashredux]

46. Well, the Democratic Party will be getting a lot of new members.......

This didn’t go over very well during the 70s, and it certainly ain’t gonna do well for the GOP now

[Deep State Witch]

47. Let's Start With Barron

He's what, 20?

[nitpicked]

48. Just one not-so-small problem

Barron is reported to be 6 foot 9.

Army's normal maximum height for enlistment is 80 inches (6 foot 8)
https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/army-weight-rules.html#:~:text=Below%20is%20the%20Army's%20weight,then%20further%20into%20age%20groups.

and I think the other services are the same. IMO, one factor in this is that the US military may be not routinely "geared" to equip and use taller individuals.

[The Madcap]

52. Well, since the MAGAs think women shouldn't be in the military,

having only daughters is a great blessing.

[Traildogbob]

57. Tell me?

Will ICE be eligible to be called up, take a HUGE Bigley pay cut, and lose total immunity for murder and a guarantee of never being shot back at?
If not, what’s to stop all drafters from joining ICE to avoid danger and get rich doing it.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

59. I nominate Barron for the title of First Private!

With golden stripes for his uniform..........

[surfered]

67. This brings back memories....."emergency enlistment measures'

I remember it as the draft.

[bdamomma]

69. DJT

must be on crack, if he thinks this is going to happen. Get Barron first!!!!!!!

[Wonder Why]

74. Brainspurs trump

[kacekwl]

77. He is going to be just like daddy.

No responsibility never having to do anything for himself. Plus he's got the same asshole mouth.

[LaMouffette]

78. Sorry, but "Lurch" (love that!) can't be drafted: He inherited his dad's bone spurs.

[Figarosmom]

83. He's planning on using the military for his

extortion racket. This is in response to fewer re-enlistments I'll bet.

[Crowman2009]

84. Hope they like high rates of AWOL servicemembers and barracks that smell like pot.

Because that's what happened the last few years of the Vietnam war.

[Blue Full Moon]

85. Don't forget Kai and Donald J Trump lll

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

86. K&R

[70sEraVet]

87. I scrolled through the comments to see if anyone disliked the name-calling.....

aimed at Barron. Didn't find what I was looking for, so decided to put in my own comment.
As far as I know, there have been no indications that Barron has inherited the ethical malignancies of his father. I view him as a young man who hasn't yet stepped out into his own, and who may yet prove himself to be a decent human being.
RFK Jr certainly didn't inherit an 'asshole' gene from his father -- he attained his Asshole-ery all on his own!
I'm sure it can work the other way round.