WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM THE DRAFT? (Published 1863) (2024)

FAQs

WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM THE DRAFT? (Published 1863)? ›

In July 1863, the army carried out the first of four drafts; the next three followed in 1864. Those whose names were drawn in the draft lottery might be eligible for an exemption – especially if they were the sole means of support for a widow, aging parents, or motherless children.

Five days later, the Confederate government passed the Exemption Act, which excused from military service select government employees, workers deemed necessary to maintain society (such as teachers, railroad workers, skilled tradesmen, and ministers), and owners of twenty or more slaves.

Notable exemptions included those enrolled in higher education, medically unfit individuals, and conscientious objectors citing moral or religious reasons. The US government has previously drafted soldiers for the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Before Congress reformed the draft in 1971, a man could qualify for a student deferment if he could show he was a full-time student making satisfactory progress in virtually any field of study. He could continue to go to school and be deferred from service until he was too old to be drafted.

Specifcally, the same group of seventy-four districts comprising the North during the July 1863 draft produced correlations for the combined proportion of men who legally evaded the draft by paying commutation money, hiring a substitute, or obtaining a physical disability that were strongly negative with Catholic ...

He hired substitute soldiers to avoid Civil War combat.

While his youngest brother was wounded at Chancellorsville and Cedar Mountain, Rockefeller received an exemption for being the primary means of supporting his family and hired substitute soldiers in his stead, a common practice during the war.

Men who would be classified as Conscientious Objectors if they were drafted must register with Selective Service. If a draft is authorized and they are called, they would have the opportunity to file a claim for exemption from military service based upon their religious or moral objection to war.

Anyone suffering from deprivation of the senses, such as hearing and vision problems, is forbidden to enlist. People with bone or joint problems are also exempt. This includes chronic knee injuries, people with a history of bone fractures, shoulder problems and hypermobility syndrome.

What mental illnesses exempt you from the draft? ›

Any individual with current or a history of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, paranoid disorder, or other unspecified psychosis, is disqualified. Current mood disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, or depressive disorder not otherwise specified, are disqualifying.

Draft avoidance

Claiming conscientious objector status on the basis of sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs. Claiming a student deferment, when one is in school primarily in order to study and learn. Claiming a medical or psychological problem, if the purported health issue is genuine and serious.

If you are currently incarcerated or have a criminal felony record, you are ineligible for the draft. If you are hospitalized or institutionalized (physically or mentally), you are exempted from being drafted.

American draft evaders who left for Canada and became prominent there include politician Jim Green, gay rights advocate Michael Hendricks, attorney Jeffry House, author Keith Maillard, playwright John Murrell, television personality Eric Nagler, film critic Jay Scott, and musician Jesse Winchester.

Exemptions were granted to men who served in national and state governments; to men who worked in heavy industry and mining; communications and transportation industries; and, various occupations which directly served the public such as teachers, ministers and druggists.

Men turning 21 in the year of the draft would be second priority, men turning 22 would be third, and so on until a man turns 26, at which time he is over the age of liability. Younger men would not be called in that year until men in the 20-25 age group are called.

Among those exempted were confederate and state officials, Christian Ministers, professors and teachers, druggists, hospital attendants, mine, foundry, cotton and wool factory workers.

The requirements for exemption are: If a man is placed in a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or mental institution on or before his 18^th birthday, had no breaks of institutionalization of 30 days or longer, and remained institutionalized until his 26^th birthday, he is not required to register.

Under the Confederate conscription law, a draftee could evade service by hiring someone who was exempt from the draft to replace him-someone under or over the mandatory conscription age, one whose trade or profession exempted him, or a foreign national.

Conscientious objectors played an active role despite their small numbers. The prevailing sentiment that the draft was unfairly administered fueled student and blue-collar American opposition to the military draft.