Reply #7: Selective Service Classification System [View All]

[RoyGBiv]

At the time of Vietnam, it went like this:

PWWII period: (1948 thru 1976*)

1-A Available for military service
1-AM Medical specialist available for military service
1-A-O Conscientious objector available for noncombatant
military service
1-A-OM Medical specialist conscientious objector available
for noncombatant military service
1-C Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the
Coast and Geodetic Survey, or the Public Health Service
(Enl)-enlisted; (Ind)-Inducted; (Dis)-discharged
1-D Member of a Reserve component or student taking military
training
**1-H Registrant not currently subject to processing for
induction or alternate service
1-O Conscientious objector available for civilian work
contributing to the national health, safety, or interest
1-OM Medical specialist conscientious objector available for
civilian work contributing to the national health,
safety, or interest
1-S Student deferred by statute: (H)-high school; (C)-college
1-W Conscientious objector performing civilian work in the
national health, safety, or interest (Rel)-released
***1-Y Registrant qualified for service only in time of war
or national emergency
2-A Registrant deferred because of civilian occupation
(except agriculture)
2-AM Medical specialist deferred because of critical
community need involving patient care
2-C Registrant deferred because of agricultural occupation
2-D Registrant deferred because of study in preparation
for the ministry
2-M Registrant deferred for medical study
2-S Registrant deferred because of activity in study
3-A Registrant with a child or children; or registrant
deferred by reason of extreme hardship to dependents
4-A Registrant who has completed service; or sole surviving son
4-B Official deferred by law
4-C Alien
4-D Minister of religion or divinity student
4-E Conscientious objector opposed to both combatant and
noncombatant training and service
4-F Registrant not qualified for military service
4-FM Medical specialist not qualified for military service
4-G Sole surviving son
4-W Conscientious objector who has completed civilian
alternate service
5-A Registrant over the age of liability for military service

* Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V were sometimes used.
** With the cessation of registrant processing in 1976, all registrants (except for a few alleged violators of the Military Selective Service Act) were classified 1-H regardless of any previous classification.
*** The 1-Y classification was abolished December 10, 1971. Local boards were subsequently instructed to reclassify all 1-Y registrants by administrative action.