Selective Service in the United States
Essex Rotary member Phil Murdock holds the post of head of Selective Service in Vermont. Phil will be hosting Donald Benton, the Director of the United States Selective Service during a three day visit to Vermont (February 6 – 8, 2018).
The purpose of his visit is to inform Vermonters about the United States Selective Service System and the importance of registering all males ages 18 to 25 year.
The Selective Service is not the Draft. Since the end of the Vietnam War in the 1970's the United States has not had a Draft. President Carter reactivated the Selective Service System the late 1970s.
Since reactivation, the mission of the Selective Service is threefold:
- to furnish manpower to the Defense Department during a national emergency;
- to manage alternative service for men classified as conscientious objectors; and
- to register, with only a few exceptions, all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the United States who are ages 18 through 25.
During his three day visit to Vermont, Director Benton will be meeting with Governor Scott, The Adjutant General, professionals in Education, and civic organizations. He will also be addressing the media at every opportunity.
Director Benton's complete biography, as posted on the US Selective Service website can be found here and an abbreviated bio is below.
Donald Benton was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to be the 13th Director of the U.S. Selective Service System on April 11, 2017. He was sworn in by Justice Samuel Alito at the Supreme Court on April 13, 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Director of the Selective Service System, President Trump named Benton as a Senior White House Advisor to lead the transition team at the Environmental Protection Agency.
He is the son of a WWII Retired Naval Officer and the brother of two Vietnam combat veterans. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army under the Guaranteed Enlistment Program, later receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Benton brings over 30 years of public service experience to Selective Service. He was a Washington state senator for 20 years. He was elected Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. Benton served in the state House of Representatives for two years.
Don Benton and his wife of 36 years, Mary, have four children.
Full Bio (PDF)