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Show SELECTIVE SERVICE EXPLAINS STANDBY RESERVE PROGRAM A large number of men who have served tours of military mili-tary duty but who belong to reserve units, have been receiving re-ceiving questionnaires from their Selective Service Boards In recent months and many more will receive them in the near future. Naturally the situation has created considerable confusion, and it is important that these men be fully advised ad-vised on the situation and that they return the questionnaires promptly. Even more important is that they keep the board completely Informed of their status at all times. The program deals with what Is known as the "Standby Reserve," a program designed to avoid mistakes and Injustices Injus-tices that developed during the Korean conflict. At that time many reservists were called to duty who had large families, or other dependants, which created sever hardships. Men were also called from strategic and Important employment that caused much confusion. This was a result of change of status between the time of conflict and the time the men were placed plac-ed In reserve units. ' To avoid this situation should another emergency arise, armed forces administrators have requested Selective Service Ser-vice to classify reservists and maintain an active file on them. Under the program the local boards will determine the availability avail-ability of the reservists, placing them In three categories, available, engaged In strategic employment, and dependent situations that would create hardships should they be called to duty. If a man Is classified as available he could be called up In 24 hours If an emergency arose. However, the classification classifica-tion program would prevent the many hardships that were created before. This makes it Imperative that the men return their questionnaires ques-tionnaires promptly, and that they keep the local board completely com-pletely Informed of any change In status, by promptly notifying noti-fying the board, in writing, of any change. Classifications may be changed at any time, but If the board is not Informed of changes of status, no reclassification can be made, and should an emergency arise, men who has neglected to notify the board may be called to duty, whether or not it would create a hardship. The only responsibility Selective Service has is that of classification. The armed forces determine who shall be classified, and after the classification Is completed, the Information In-formation goes Into the armed forces files and men may be called to duty on that basis. The calls will come direct from the branch of service to which the Individual belongs and not through the Selective Service. The reiposibility of registrants in regular Selective Service Ser-vice to keep ihe local board informed has also been badly neglected In recent months. Selective Service boards must select se-lect inductees on the basis of information contained in the registrant's file at Selective Service offices, and not on what the board members may know or think about the particular registrant If the files are not complete and current, serious injustice may result, but it Is entirely the fault of the Individual Indi-vidual registrant. For example, fathers are not to be called to duty at the present time, but If the father has neglected to notify the Selective Se-lective Service Board that he has become a father, he cannot can-not expect the board members to be aware of the situation, . and expect them to defer him or postpone his induction because be-cause of his dependents. If the Individual fails to notify the board, in writing, of any change in his status, such as the event of his becoming a father, he cannot expect to receive a change in classification classifica-tion or blame anyone but himself if he is ordered to duty. After he receives an order to report for induction It Is usually too late to get those orders cancelled bect.use of fatherhood, or any other deferrment status. |