With the recent institution of a "Lottery System" for determining the priority in which individuals will be required to satisfy their Selective Service obligation, much discussion has occurred among physicians and misconceptions have surfaced indicating that again we need to examine the Selective Service law to see how it applies to medical students and to physicians.
The Military Selective Service Act of 1967 states, in general, that every male citizen, over the age of 18 years 6 months and under 26 years, is liable for training and service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Additionally, this act requires the same obligation of all male noncitizens of the same ages who have been in this country for a year or more. In the case of physicians, dentists, and certain allied specialists, the upper age limit is raised to 35 for all those who have received an educational deferment. The