How was the Universal Military Training Act of 1951 different from The Selective Service Act?

Answer 1

As I remember it the UMT and Service Act either supplemented or replaced the so-called "Draft." It required that all males were to serve in some capacity for periods of time that depended upon the branch of the service. For two years active duty in the US Army or Marines the requirement was satisfied (I believe) in full although there may have been some ongoing "Reserve" status that followed. If the branch was the US Air Force the period was four years active duty and, once again it might have included additional time in the Reserves. If one chose either the Air or Army National Guard the time of service was something like seven years. I was "inducted" into this program in 1952 as a senior in high school and was a member of the Air National Guard. At the time there was a clear distinction between the Reserves and the National Guard, but I don't recall the precise difference except that it seems the Reserves did not do additional military training whereas the National Guard did. My tenure in the National Guard was interrupted periodically when I moved from one state to another but ultimately I accumulated over 20 years service and was finally discharged formally at age 65. Initially I didn't like the program but I grew to like being in the Guard and a sense of returning something to the country. I think something like it is needed today. I sense a general feeling more of expected entitlements other than contributing in some way.

Answer 2

The outbreak of the Korean War fostered the creation of the Universal Military Training and Service Act of 1951 (Selective Service Act of 1948). This lowered the draft age from 19 to 18 1⁄2, increased active-duty service time from 21 to 24 months, and set the statutory term of military service at a minimum of eight years. Students attending a college or training program full-time could request an exemption, which was extended as long as they were students. A Universal Military Training clause was inserted that would have made all males obligated to perform 12 months of military service and training if the Act was amended by later legislation. Despite successive attempts over the next several years, however, such legislation was never passed.