Getting #FAFSA doesn’t mean you’re getting drafted for #WWIII
News that President Donald Trump bombed the Baghdad airport set Twitter on fire with concerns about men over age 18 getting drafted if they applied for college federal aid under FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The FAFSA form contains a line asking male applicants if they’d like to be registered for the Selective Service, or military, draft. Federal law already requires registration in the service, and those who don’t comply could be prosecuted and jailed or fined up to $250,000.
But Friday's news that Trump ordered a targeted airstrike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian general spread so much panic among America's youth that the Selective Service website crashed.
Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high traffic volumes at this time. If you are attempting to register or verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue. We appreciate your patience.
— Selective Service (@SSS_gov) January 3, 2020
The U.S. Department of Education requires all men 18 and older file for the draft before receiving federal aid. The FAFSA application is simply making sure the applicant has already done so, a fact that seemed to be lost — as so much is — on social media.
When you register for selective service 4 days after turning 18, then #WWIII and #FAFSA start trending 2 days after that. pic.twitter.com/yKiJsU3du7
— 🎩🛋️🍾 Ian 🔨👨👧👑 (@IanLarson20) January 3, 2020
Me accepting that fact that imma have to go to war because I signed up for fafsa #FAFSA pic.twitter.com/F6IUNOpKJS
— Ikram ♡ (@ikrambare) January 3, 2020
»MORE: U.S. sending 3,000 more troops to Mideast after airstrike kills Iranian general
Why have volunteering to join the military! If they trick you into Selective Service System on #FAFSA. So you're basically getting forced into war anyway and can't get out.
— Kilea Thomas (@ItsKileaThomas) January 3, 2020
Plus!!!! It's only been a few days into 2020!
Why bring 2019's #WorldWarThree mess into 2020!!!! pic.twitter.com/bkjyNOVIJy
Want to get out of the Selective Service? Change your sex. Male to female. Boom! Problem solved. #FAFSA
— I ❤️ AMERICA (@tacticus0) January 3, 2020
Me realizing that FAFSA gonna get majority of the seniors at every high school while they’re in class #FAFSA pic.twitter.com/P6LAbQkrvP
— Carlos Ramirez-Centeno (@JokesterCarlos) January 3, 2020
Tensions in the region are running high in the wake of Thursday’s targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Tehran’s top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East.
Iran has vowed “harsh retaliation” for the U.S. airstrike, which was ordered by Trump and carried out near Baghdad International Airport.
#MAGA2020 supporters who did #fafsa can fight in this war, NOT I lmaoo. Y’all wanna support your president? Be my guest. #WWIII was created by your president. pic.twitter.com/LQ2LI3KRU1
— Tasmia.I (@TasmiaIslam) January 3, 2020
Soleimani was the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force and a senior commander, according to a statement from the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who confirmed U.S. involvement several hours after the attack.
The boost in the number of troops is a sign of the U.S. being concerned that the assassination would spark reprisals by the Iranian government throughout the region.
yeah ight.... don't ask any questions yall better be runnin with me !! #FAFSA pic.twitter.com/XPUMXOjX4c
— LethalGamezz (@LethalGamezz) January 3, 2020
The United States urged American citizens to leave Iraq “immediately.” The State Department said the embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and other protesters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.
