Evening star., 1940-09-15


To provide for the common de-
fense by increasing the per-
sonnel of the armed forces Of
the United States and providing
for its training.
Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives OF
the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That (a) the
Congress hereby declares that it
is imperative to increase and
train the personnel of the armed
forces of the United States.
(b) The Congress further de-
clares that in free society the
obligations and privileges of
military training and service
should be shared generally in
accordance with fair and just
system of selective compulsory
military training and service.
Co The Congress further de-
clares, in accordance with our
traditional military policy as ex-
pressed in the National Defense
Act of 1916, as amended, that it
Is essential that the strength and
organiza ton of the National
Guard. as an integral part of
the f1rst-line defenses of this
Nation. be at all times main
tanned and assured. To this end,
1t is the inter. of the Congress
that whenever the Congress shall
determine that troops are needed
for the national security in eX-
cess of those of the Regular Army
and those in active training
under tn eprovisions of this act,
the National Guard of the
United States, or such part
thereof as may be necessary.
shall be ordered to active Federal
service and continued therein SO
long as such necessity exists.
Citizens and Aliens
Alike Must Register.
Section 2. Except as otherwise
provided in this act, 1t shall be
the duty of every male citizen of
the United States, and of every
male alien residing in the United
States. who, on the day or days
fixed for the first or any subse-
ouent registration, is between
the ages of 81 and SO, to present
himself for and submit to regis
tration at such time or times and
place or places, and in such man
ner and in such age groups or
groups, as shall be determined
by rules and regulations pre-
scribed hereunder.
Sec. 3. taD Except as otherwise
provided in this act, every male
citizen of the United States. and
every male alien residing in the
United States who has declared
his intention to become such a
citizen, between the ages of 81
and 36 at the time fixed for his
registration, shall be liable for
training and service in the land
or naval forces of the United
States. The President is author
lied from time to time, whether
or not a state of war exists, to
select and induct into the land
and naval forces of the United
States for training and service,
in the manner provided in this
act. such number of men as in his
Judgment is required for such
forces in the national interest:
Provided, That within the limits
of the quota determined under
section Cb) for the subdivision
In which he resides, any person,
regardless of race or color, be-
tween the ages of 18 and 36 shall
be afforded an opportunity to VOL
unteer for induction into the land
or naval forces of the United
States for the training and serv-
ice prescribed in subsection (b),
but no person who so volunteers
shall be inducted for such train
Ing and service so long as he is
deferred after classification: Pro-
vided further. that no man shall
be inducted for training and serv-
ice under this act unless and un-
til he is acceptable to the land or
naval forces for such training and
service and his physical and men
tai fitness for such training and
service has been satisfactorily de-
termined:
Adequate Care for Conscripts
Required.
Provided further, That no men
shall be inducted for such train
ing and service until adequate
provision shall have been made
for such shelter, sanitary facili-
ties, water supplies. heating and
lighting arrangements, medical
care, and hospital accommoda-
tlons, for such men. as may be de-
termined by the Secretary of War
or the Secretary of the Navy, as
the case may be, to be essential to
public and personal health:
Provided further, That except in
time of war there shall not be in
active training or service in the
land forces of the United States
at any one time under subsection
(b) more than 100000 men in
Quoted under the provisions of
this act. The men inducted into
the land or naval forces for train
Ing and service under this act
shall be assigned TO camps or
units of such forces.
'b) Each man inducted under
the provisions of subsection (a)
shall serve for a training and
service period of II consecutive
months. unless sooner discharged,
except that whenever tie Con-
gresS has declared that the ma
tional interest is imperiled, such
l2-month period may be extended
by the President to such time as
may be necessary in the interests
OF national defense.
(c) Each such man, after the
completion Of his period of train
Ing and service under subsection
(b), shall be transferred to
reserve component of the land or
naval forces of the United States:
and until he attainS the age of
IS. or until the expiration of a
period of 10 years after such
transfer or until he is diScboroad