I have been think about joining Americorps for a while now, it seems like a program that a person can gain a lot of experience from. However now there is all this talk of a draft. If I join Americorps for a year and there's a draft will I have to serve a year in the military as well? I really think Americorps would be great but I don't want to end up spending 2 or more years doing it. I do have other things to do like schooling and finding a career.
I've been thinking about Americorps for a couple years too. I just have had too many unanswered questions to actually apply. I've also been worried that my heart condition would keep me from getting in. I hope someone who has done the program or knows about it will post.
I applied to and got accepted to an Americorps program two years ago or so. I didn't end up taking the job because I got one in Switzerland that I decided to go for instead, but I learned a lot about the program along the way. As far as I know it is not affiliated with the military at all, so there should be no issues with the draft. And also, and heart condition should not keep you from getting in. It may keep you from some of the more active positions, but there are positions where little activity is involved. The interview process is pretty rigorous. I think I had to go through three hour long interviews before I was finally accepted. Then amount of money you live on is below poverty level, so this is definitely not something for those with big spending habits. I think it is an excellent program, and everyone I know who did it loved it. It will probably be easier for you to get a position you want if you have experiece (volunteer or otherwise) in the area you want to work. However, there are many entry level positions as well. That is all I can think of for now. I suggest you apply to the program of your choice and talk to the program coordinator once they contact you. They can answer pretty much any question you have. Best of luck to both of you
"As far as I know it is not affiliated with the military at all, so there should be no issues with the draft." That's the problem, I don't want to take a year of college do Americorp than get drafted and have to take another year off of college.
The only real (legal) ways to avoid the draft would be to appy for contientious objector status or to be deemed unfit for duty by the draft board. If you are drafted and cannot serve for whatever reason, you have to do some kind of civil service instead of military.
