In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

, the Alternative Service Program is a form of

alternative service Alternative civilian service, also called alternative services, civilian service, non-military service, and substitute service, is a form of national service performed in lieu of military conscription for various reasons, such as conscientious ...

for

conscientious objector A conscientious objector (often shortened to conchie) is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion. The term has also been extended to obje ...

s within its

Selective Service System The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent agency of the United States government that maintains information on U.S. citizens and other U.S. residents potentially subject to military conscription (i.e., the draft) and carries out con ...

. The Alternative Service Program is intended to encourage those called under Selective Service the option of working to improve national well-being as an alternative to bearing arms. Typical period of service is meant to mirror the duration of conscription, usually 24 months.

References

External links

Alternative Service Program page on the Selective Service website
Conscientious objection Conscription in the United States United States military law {{US-mil-stub