Pentagon strongly denies Lute's remarks about draft

Federal law requires that all male United States citizens and male aliens residing in the United States and its territories must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, including parolees, refugees, and applicants for asylum and all disabled men who are able to function in public, with or without assistance, and that any changes (such as addresses) must be submitted within 10 days until reaching the age of 25. Women are excluded from selective service.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon sharply rejected Monday a key general's assertion that a return to the military draft has always been "an option on the table" and should be considered.

"I can tell you emphatically that there is absolutely no consideration being given to reinstituting the draft," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. "The all-volunteer force has surpassed all expectations of its founders."

Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, a White House deputy national security adviser, discussed the draft in a radio interview Friday in which he said military leaders were right to be concerned about the impact of repeated deployments on military morale and readiness.

Lute, who is in charge of coordinating the US war effort in Iraq, said the all-volunteer military is serving "exceedingly well" and the administration has not decided it needs to be replaced with a draft.

But he said, "I think it makes sense to certainly consider it, and I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table."

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