Hi ladies. I'm a little sad this evening. Bummed out. Here's my story. My husband works in construction , on and off, we hate it , but it pays well, pays the bills and all. In October of last year he applied for border patrol. Ever since then he's been filling out paper work, getting in shape, working out, doing all the requirements to get hired or sent to the academy. In two weeks he is scheduled for a physical exam, which only two exams are left and a drug test before they can send him to the academy. He even hired a trainer to help him get in shape to pass this physical exam, which he's been doing really good, and I of course been helping by cooking healthier meals. Well yesterday he was filling out one of the million applications they send you and one of the questions asked if he registered for selective services when he turned 18. He had no idea what that was, so he never registered. According to the border patrol hiring policy (and any federal government job) if you never registered for selective services they will terminate your hiring process. WOW. He honestly did not know he needed to register when he turned 18, he was completely clueless, as was I. I've never heard of such a thing. My husband was born in the U.S. but finished school in another country. After he finished school he moved back and started working in the US. Maybe that's why he didn't know about registering?? I have no idea, but with that said we probably (most likely) won't get hired. This really bums me out because we have been looking fwd to this job, we really need it, he's been working so hard at it, and he's been really happy about it. It really does make me sad. When i told him how serious this is, he just shook his head. Thanks for listening
Hi, thank you all for your replies. You moms are awesome! Thanks to Thea for providing a website to check. Turns out my DH did register back in 99 and of course he says he does not remember doing so. And you're right, its a dangerous job...but he is looking fwd to it, he's pretty excited. Thank you all once again... :)
Why don't you just put on the forms that he was not living in the country at age 18 and leave it at that. he can explain about living overseas, etc. when he gets an interview. I would at least try that as you've got nothing to loose.
Is he SURE he didn't register?
You might call his parents and ask if THEY might have helped with that. Or even call and find out if he's registered. It's been standard practice for our entire lives. I wouldn't be surprised if he registered without knowing it (like around the same time as getting a drivers licence or registering to vote).
Good luck,
T.
PS You can check registration here
https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfVerification.aspx
Honestly I think you guys need to try and see the bright side of life here. I understand you guys could use some extra $, I mean who couldn't right? But border patrol! What a dangerous job. Honestly I think it might be a blessing in disguise - who knows what could have happened in duty on that job...not to be super negative, but the border is a disaster right now!
You should speak with someone.. An attorney, your state Representative. or State Senator.. . Have your husband show his status from during his school years and that he lived out of the country when he turned 18..
This rule has been around for at least 30 years. Because I remember my husband signing up when he turned 18 and he is now 50.. It was a big deal.. They mail it to you. They still do.. Does he have a social Security card? That is how the Govt.. keeps track of all of that.
But if there was some confusion, he needs to go and see if he can explain his situation.. He sounds very dedicated..
So sorry, But I would fight for this..
.
Check the site that Thea gave you. I just put in my hubby's info and he registered about a month before he turned 18 (way back in 1994). I did not know that site existed! Either way, congrats to you and your husband for going through the rigorous application to obtain a job to better our country!
I am a strong believer in "everything happens for a reason". I think he should do his best to fight it, but if it still doesn't work out, maybe there's a reason.
Have you ever wanted something that didn't work out, and you were really upset at the time, but when you look back, you realize that something better came out of it? My dream of being a Spanish professor didn't work out (long story), so I accepted a job teaching highschool Spanish- which I hadn't really wanted to do. I became good friends w/ another teacher, and through her, met my husband on a blind date. He never would have met me either if he had been able to find a job doing what he wanted to do- he'd have been in Rhode Island. Anyway, we've been happily married for almost 13 years and have 4 children! It was just meant to be.
If your DH's dream doesn't work out, would he be interested in becoming a police officer? Here's some info, JIC.
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_become-police-office...
I wish you and your DH the very best!!!!
Blessings
Stay positive, I firmly believe things happen for a reason. Have you never heard the saying God doesn't close a door without opening a window?
Hang in there...
If he has proof that he was out of the country and was not informed that he had to sign up, even tho this has been in practice since 2004, he might be able to write out an affidavit stating such, especially since there HASNT been a draft.
How awful and very unfortunate. But I have to agree with Abby here, it might be for the best. Especially with how the world is going and the news its pretty scary out there, and it might be a blessing that he didnt get in. I know it seems awful that all that work for nothing but it is what it is and now time to find a plan B. Things will work out, just try and stay positive! Maybe something better will come up! You never know whats around the corner!
Dont lose hope yet!!
Best wishes to you!
Just remember things happen for a reason. My friends husband recently went through the same thing. They had their house up for sale. He had pretty much been told he had the job doing border patrol. They were so excited for a new life. During some questioning they asked if he ever smoked pot. He said yes (once when he was like 16) and they stopped his process right there. Im surprised there is any border patrol at all with the process they make everybody go through. I get why it is so strict, but it seems like it would be a hard job to get.
Im sure there are bigger plans for you. It just takes patience and know you will be taken care of.
I would check to make sure, first, that he isn't registered. Being out of the country when he turned 18 (living out of the country, anyhow) might be an exemption...because I think it's pretty hard NOT to do that when you turn eighteen, as a male. Every single male I know had to do it, and I think they offered the service at school, even. Like I said, though, they may make an exception considering the circumstances, so if I were you, I would do ALL you could to contact the proper people at the border patrol (find out who you need to speak with) and discuss the situation, what can be done, etc. Don't give up, especially after he put so much work in!! :)
If he went to school overseas when he turned 18 and moved back later would he still have to had registered? I'm not sure how you would find that out. and Abby may have a good point. Sounds pretty dangerous.
call and explain the situation. you never know until you ask. and you never know, somethings are blessings and we don't know it until later on. i wish you and your family the best of luck!
