Selective Service

[steph1964]

I am applying for a Federal job and there is a question that asks my Selective Service status. The options include "I am a female and therefore exempt" and "I have registered." You must select one of the options (there are more but these two apply.)

My gender has been changed for Social Security, in fact all the records I need to submit have been changed, so I really don't want to out myself on the application.

I've searched the Selective Service website but there is nothing about transsexuals that I could find.

So do I say I'm a female or report that I registered in 1982? Has anyone dealt with this?

[kathtx]

I suggest consulting with the HR department at the job site. They may not know a definitive answer, but may know how to find out. At the very least going through official channels should forestall any suggestion that you were trying to be deceptive somehow.

This will out you, but if it's a position for which a background check is required you're going to be outed anyway, at least to the investigators.

Good luck!

Katharine

[kimdl93]

You're registered so why not leave it at that.

[Angela Campbell]

So what do you do if it is like my case. I never had to register, too young when they had it, then when they brought it back I was too old. They are missing some options it seems.

Only men born between March 29, 1957, and December 31, 1959, were completely exempt from Selective Service registration - I was born in 1958.

[steph1964]

You're registered so why not leave it at that.

If I say that I'm registered then it immediately outs me because females can't register.

Katherine, Unfortunately this is the Federal Jobs Web page that you have to complete before applying for any Federal jobs. So as far as I know, there isn't an HR to contact since each agency has their own and I'm applying for positions in different agencys. Maybe I will pick an agency and see if I'm able to contact their HR.

Angela, There were more options including age but I didn't include those in my post because they didn't apply to me.

[kimdl93]

My thinking is that you'll be out when they run the background check any way. I'm quite certain finger prints will eventually be required too.

[Angela Campbell]

If it is a federal position you will be outed anyway, just put the truth down and don't worry about it. Do you think when you change your name on the SS account they erase the old info?

[steph1964]

I know that they run backgrounds but that comes later in the process, I will likely be outed in the interview. But I want to get to that point and not be rejected immediately.

[Angela Campbell]

Hell these days it may give you a leg up.

[kimdl93]

I honestly don't know how the Feds might react to the disclosure. My guess is that in the preliminary screening omissions may be more detrimental than including factual info. It may even be illegal for anyone to be screened out on that basis.

[Jorja]

Contact the Selective Service board and ask them. When in doubt go to the source.

[mikiSJ]

I have only applied for one federal job (a long time ago) and I think I left that question blank - if it was even asked.

Although I am 'Nam Vet, I never registered for the draft since I enlisted when I was 17. Answer that you are a female. They will eventually find out what your gender status is anyway and marking the female box is the most truthful at the moment.

[Eryn]

If you are legally a female, use the female option. Since you did the "right thing" in the first place they can't hold that against you if they dig deeper.

[Sarah V]

I would check the box that you registered. There is no policy that I am aware of that says, females CAN NOT register. It only says females do not have to register. That way, the records will all match up, and depending on the job, if a security clearance or back-ground investigation is involved they are going to find out about your male self anyways. Keep in mind that even though SSA changed your name on your account, they did not change your SSAN. So everything about you is still under your male SSAN. Today, after the recent Washington Navy Yard shooting incident, the govt is really starting to ramp up in cracking down on having verified good & complete background investigations done. They are not going to be loosey - goosey with this stuff any more.

Hey, look at on the bright side it this way---When you get to the interview you can say if it comes up, that your registered because you are a patriotic gal!!!

[vikki2020]

I'd think that in a Federal job, you will be even more protected against discrimination, than almost any other "company". I wouldn't worry, if you are outed. It's their own rules,that they have to follow!

[Aprilrain]

if your registered then your registered. let them figure it out!
for me its a moot point on two accounts
1 I'm too old now
2 I'm transexual, they do not allow transsexuals to serve in any branch of the military.
good for me!

[gonegirl]

Wow, I didn't realize that #2 (above) is still the case. I guess the top brass are afraid that non genetic women are too much of a threat to their machismo.

[Sally24]

Just answer what is true now. You are female. Your age is such that I don't think it will ever be an issue anyway. If it does come up, you did register so you're covered. Good luck!