Evening star., 1954-04-15
Veterans and
Druftees
By Maj. Thomos M. Mol

But unlike most farmers de-
ferred during World War II. to-
days young men don't receive
deferments which offer them
virtually permanent freedom
from military service. AS a mat
ter of fact. it's almost sure the
men now deferred as farmers
will eventually have to serve.
There are a number of reasons
for this:
Today's men are eligible to be
drafted until they're 35 if they
have ever received a farm defer
ment.
Their defermentS last for only
a year when they're completely
reviewed by local boards to de-
termine whether new deferments
ought to be given.
It's tough to get a farm defer
ment in the first place because
of stringent eligibility require
mentS. Even after they're given,
the regulations put heavy en-
phasis on the deferments being
only temporary.
There's an earnest desire on
the part of selective service to
keep within the basic philosophy
of the draft: That the obligation
and privilege of serving in the
armed forces should be shared
generally.
Must Meet Rules.
If you're a young man ex-
pecting to ask for a farm defer
ment. here are the requirements
you'll have to meet to qualify:
You must be employed "in
the production for market of
substantial quantity of those
agricultural commodities which
are necessary to the mainte-
nance of the national health,
safety or interest" Naturally,
this requirement eliminates from
consideration for a deferment
the fellow who is only producing
enough for his family. Formulas
have been worked out in all
States as basis for judgment of
what is "a substantial quantity
of agricultural commodities" for
market. The formula for your
home state will be applied to
your case when you ask for
deferment.
You must be employed in
farm work on a full-time basis
except when seasonal or tenn
porary" Interruptions prevent
full-time work For example, you
couldn't be considered as work.
ing full-time at farm work if
you work part-time in a feed
store and spend the remainder
Of your time working on a farm.
Your situation must be one
where you cannot be replaced
because Of a shortage of persons
with your qualifications or skills
This is important because many
men who apply for farm defer
ments can easily be replaced.
Liable to Call.
Also. if you're deferred, you're
expected to make a diligent eff
fort to get replacement so that
you may serve your military
duty. If your board finds that
you're not trying to find a re-
placement. after it has given
you acouple of farm deferments,
1t may decide that you should be
called up despite the fact that
you haven't found a replace
ment.
Your removal from the farm
must cause "a material loss of
effectiveness in such activity"
This requirement in a sense
overlaps the third requirement,
but it does cover the situation
where even If a man cannot be
replaced it might make little diff
ference to the operation of the
farm.
The best time to apply for a
farm deferment is when you
fill out your selective service
queStionnaire. At that time you'll
have the chance to put down all
the facts about your job and
request a &c classification.
At last count, nearly $4,000 |
young men throughout the Ma
ton were deferred from the
draft because they're farmers.
During World War II, the peak |
of farm deferments was about |
1,250,000
you may Urite Maj. Mai
in care of The Star about
your serUice-connected prob
lem. Please incloSe a stamped.
elt-1ddreSSed envelope and
20 cents in St1mpS.J
From A. P. Newsfeatures.)