240713-Z-ZJ128-1002

SALEM, Ore. — As global tensions rise and military recruitment faces challenges, the Oregon National Guard is playing a vital role in supporting the Selective Service System, ensuring the state remains prepared for potential national emergencies.

The Selective Service System, an independent agency within the executive branch, is responsible for rapidly providing personnel to the military in a fair and equitable manner if the President and Congress authorize conscription. While the United States has maintained an all-volunteer force for decades, the system remains a crucial component of national defense readiness.

"The Selective Service is a vital pillar in our national defense posture," said Michael Kalberg, Oregon's State Director for the Selective Service System. "Even though it may be overlooked by some, it's an important component of our government."

In Oregon, the Selective Service State Headquarters is located at the Salem Armory on 17th St. The state's mission includes maintaining staffing for local draft boards, preparing to activate a fully operational state headquarters if needed, and supporting the ongoing registration of 18-year-old males.

Lt. Col. Robert Earhart, the Selective Service Reserve Service Member for Oregon, explained the system's role: "Most people are familiar with the draft during World War Two through Vietnam. It's been a volunteer force for the past several decades, so the draft has not been going on. But every state needs to have an apparatus in place in case the President and Congress reinitiate conscription."

The Oregon National Guard provides critical support to the Selective Service mission. This partnership includes sharing facilities, logistical support, and personnel. In addition to occupying space at the Salem Armory, National Guard Armory facilities and administrative equipment would be made available for temporary operations in the event of activation.

"We've had a lot of success in Oregon over the last 50 years, and this office has been functional," Earhart said. "A lot of great people have come through, and a lot of great volunteers helping us along the way."

However, the system faces challenges, particularly in rural areas. Oregon is divided into 18 local boards, with nine single-county boards and nine multi-county boards. As of July 2024, five boards are inoperable due to volunteer board member vacancies across 14 counties.

"We have vacancies quite a few vacancies around the state," Earhart noted. To reach board capacity, "I could probably fill another 30 slots."

These local boards play a crucial role in the Selective Service process. In the event of a draft, board members would review and decide on draftee claims for exemptions, postponements, or deferments from military service.

"It's a big responsibility because you hold someone's future in your hands," Earhart explained. "It's a matter of trust, logic, and an understanding of the story being told to you."

The time commitment for board members is minimal during peacetime — approximately five hours in the first year and two hours annually thereafter. However, their role becomes expanded and critical if a draft is reinstated.

Kalberg emphasized the unique challenges Oregon faces in maintaining the Selective Service System. "Oregon is not a high-visibility military state. We don't have a lot of military footprint [in Oregon]," he said. For that reason, probably in particular, Oregonians have never had a history of high registration compliance when young men turn 18."

Despite these challenges, recent efforts to bolster the system have shown promise. Earhart has been conducting outreach with agency partners, the governor's office, county commissioners, and service organizations like the VFW and American Legion, which has resulted in several new volunteers in the pipeline.

The Selective Service is also adapting to potential changes on the national level. Congress is considering bills that could expand registration requirements, such as the automatic registration of 18-year-old males and including women in the draft. If passed, these changes would significantly increase the workload for local boards.

"If mandated, it'll be an interesting reaction," Kalberg said. "We're not worried about it, but we do need to get the numbers on the paper, get [board members] trained, and get them ready."

As geopolitical pressures mount and military recruiting struggles to meet its quotas, the importance of the Selective Service System has been identified as a backstop for national defense. Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense, recently stated, "I don't want people to think the all-volunteer force is sort of alone when the United States must make major decisions. They do not stand alone."

The Oregon National Guard and Selective Service System are actively seeking volunteers to serve on local boards, particularly in rural areas. Interested citizens can apply online at sss.gov/volunteers to "Get Involved." Eligible individuals must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and willing to undergo training and dedicate time to this crucial role in national preparedness.

"We're looking for dedicated individuals who want to serve their community and country in this important capacity," Earhart said. "It's a unique opportunity to play a vital role in our national defense structure."
 
For more information on volunteering or the Selective Service System in Oregon, you can contact Lt. Col. Robert Earhart, SSS Reserve Service Member, at 503-779-9473 or rearhart@sss.gov.

                                                                                     -30-

Released Video Interview: https://dvidshub.net/r/9muf7h

Released Photo:

240713-Z-ZJ128-1002

Lt. Col. Robert Earhart, Selective Service Reserve Force Officer for Oregon, speaks during an interview on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Salem Armory in Salem, Ore. Earhart discussed the Oregon National Guard's support for the Selective Service System and the need for volunteers to serve on local draft boards. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

Included: SSS Volunteer Recruiting Poster

for planning purposes only – not for print or air

The 142nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Oregon will host a ceremony unveiling the F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet at its first operational unit in the U.S. Air Force this Friday, 12 July 2024. Attending this ceremony will be the Governor of the State of Oregon and Commander in Chief of the Oregon National Guard, Honorable Tina Kotek and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.

Media is asked to RSVP by Thursday, 11 July. Interviews with distinguished visitors to include Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, Acting Director of the Air National Guard and former Oregon Air National Guardsman, will be available between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. Please arrive at the base main gate, 6801 NE Cornfoot Rd, Portland, Ore. 97218, no later than 8:00 a.m. if you would like to conduct interviews. 

The F-15EX is a replacement for the F-15C/D fleet that complements Combat Air Forces with affordability, speed, range, payload and rapid technology paths. The USAF currently operates six F-15EX aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida for testing, and the Air National Guard has received their first two at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Oregon. The 142nd Wing is the first unit in the USAF to operate the F-15EX for real-world missions. 

-30-

Footage of the arrival of the first F-15EX at Portland can be downloaded at the following link: DVIDS - Video - First Aircraft Arrival F-15EX at the Portland Air National Guard Base (dvidshub.net)

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

1782886.jpg

PORTLAND, Oregon – The 142^nd Wing out of the Portland Air National Guard Base in Portland, Ore., will conduct Independence Day flyovers for ceremonies and parades at locations throughout Oregon.

Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to conduct flyovers at the following community locations at, or around, the designated times on Thursday, July 4, 2024. 

10:35 a.m. Corbett, Ore.

10:39 a.m. Ridgefield, Wash.

10:43 a.m. Clatskanie, Ore.

10:47 a.m. Warrenton, Ore.

10:50 a.m. Manzanita, Ore.

10:51 a.m. Rockaway Beach, Ore.

10:55 a.m. Neskowin, Ore.

11:00 a.m. Turner, Ore.

11:01 a.m. Salem, Ore. 

11:03 a.m. Mt. Angel, Ore. 

11:05 a.m. St. Paul, Ore. 

11:08 a.m. Lake Oswego, Ore. 

11:09 a.m. Happy Valley, Ore.

11:12 a.m. Molalla, Ore. 

11:14 a.m. Mill City, Ore.

11:26 a.m. Condon, Ore. 

11:34 a.m. The Dalles, Ore. 

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

The Oregon Air National Guard has been an integral part of the nation's air defense since 1941.  

-30-

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,300 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142^nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

Photo Caption:

An F-15D Eagle assigned to the 142nd Fighter Wing takes off from the Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., during a training flight, Feb. 12, 2015. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs/Released)