Bernie Mayoff appointed to Selective Service Board
Yes, there really is a Selective Service Board, the “Draft Board”. This presidential appointment was made formal in a letter from the Director of Selective Service which says, in part:
“It is my pleasure, in the name of the President, to appoint you as a member of the Selective Service System Local Board in the state of Texas.”
More than 11 years ago, but not more than 15 years ago, someone I worked with was in the Army Reserves. One of his duties was maintaining liaison with the Selective Service System. Another of his duties was recruiting volunteers for the Standby Selective Service System Local Boards. He asked if I would sign up to help him fulfill his responsibility, and I agreed. He assured me that there would be very little to do except attend a meeting about once a year.
Eventually, months or more later, I received some paperwork to fill out. Perhaps a year after that I received some sort of acknowledgment that I had submitted the paperwork, and maybe even that I was an Alternate member of the Standby Selective Service Board.
Years later I received a letter asking me if I was willing to continue in my role as an Alternate to the Standby Selective Service Board.
Perhaps 4 years ago I received something thanking me for my time on the Standby Selective Service Board and informing me that if I was willing to, and wished to, remain on the Board that my I needed to update my application, which I did.
About two years ago I received a notice that some members (not Alternates) of the Selective Service Board were nearing retirement age and that there would be slots to fill and if I was willing to serve then I should return some form, which I did.
Six months to a year ago I received a phone call confirming receipt of my paperwork and informing me that I was likely to be appointed a member of the (Standby) Selective Service Board. Today, March 27, I received the certificate of appointment, dated February 23, 2001. I also received a letter from The Director of Selective Service, telling me:
“It is my pleasure, in the name of the President, to appoint you as a member of the Selective Service System Local Board in the state of Texas.”
In all this time I had never been asked to attend anything, never met anyone involved in person except for my colleague of over 11 years ago (who I haven’t seen in 11 years), and had one brief phone conversation. The letter from the Director does tell me that within the next few months I will be contacted about my training. Then I will receive another certificate.
I also received a letter from an Air Force Colonel assigning me to Area Office 007/ Local Board 031 for the state of Texas. It also informs me that they always need to know how to contact me, and thanking me for serving our country.
Update. Subsequently I attended a two day class in San Antonio training people from Local Boards all over the state. The course covered our responsibilities, the existing guidelines for deferments and exemptions, and the law. Several members of my class were people who had not been born in this country, but were very grateful to be here and honored to find a way to serve our country. Since then I am required to participate in an annual refresher, usually online.
Upon my move to Austin I was assigned to a new Local Board.
My cousin, Art Mayoff, and my son-in-law, Richard Navarrete volunteered and are members of Local Boards. If you would consider volunteering, please contact me. They are always looking for additional people across the country, and each county must be diversified in accordance with the local population demographics.
