Larry Stewart Appointed Georgia State Director for the Selective Service System

Washington, DC, July 26, 2013 — Larry D. Stewart, Ph.D., was nominated by Gov. Nathan Deal and appointed by Selective Service Director Lawrence Romo to serve as the Georgia state director for the Selective Service System on July 24, 2013.

As state director Stewart will provide liaison between the Selective Service System and the governor’s office. He will represent the governor and the director of Selective Service regarding agency matters in Georgia. Stewart has long affiliation with the Selective Service System. He served the agency as a military reservist in various positions and received the Selective Service Exceptional Service Award and U.S. Army Joint Service Commendation Medal. “I have known Larry for many years and he was an outstanding Selective Service Reserve Force Officer. He was one of our most gifted training instructors. Now, to have him as our state director for Georgia is a real treat. He is one of the most honorable men I’ve ever known. We are thankful for Gov. Nathan Deal’s endorsement of Larry Stewart,” said Selective Service Region II Director Keith Scragg.

Stewart is a resident of Forsyth, GA, and is an associate professor of criminal justice and internship coordinator for Savannah State University. He was an associate professor of public safety leadership and graduate program coordinator at Mercer University. Prior to that, Stewart chaired the department of urban affairs, social sciences and social work, and was a tenured professor of criminal justice for the University of the District of Columbia. He was the founding dean for the College of Public Safety Administration and assistant campus executive officer. Stewart also held numerous law enforcement and ATF positions since 1978. Stewart is currently participating in a joint project this summer at the University of Maryland in conjunction with Savannah State University and the Department of Homeland Security.

Stewart said, “It is an honor to serve the Selective Service System and I look forward to enhancing registration, local board membership, and readiness programs in Georgia. It is a significant mission and registration provides the nation with many benefits. I am eager to dedicate my energies in this important role.”

Federal law requires all male citizens, as well as male non‐citizens residing in the U.S., to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Those who do not comply are ineligible for federal student financial aid, job training, government employment, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. If a man does not register before reaching the age of 26, he cannot register and could permanently lose these benefits because he is in violation of the law. Also, Georgia law requires men to be registered to obtain a state driver’s license. And, Selective Service registration is a precondition for state student financial aid and state employment. Although the U.S. relies on an all‐volunteer military today, the Selective Service System and the registration program help America remain prepared to reinstate a timely and fair draft in a future crisis, should a draft become necessary.

Selective Service seeks volunteers to serve on Selective Service boards throughout Georgia. These volunteers would make decisions on deferments such as family hardships, conscientious objections, and other grounds. Interested citizen‐volunteers can submit an application available from Selective Service’s Web site at www.sss.gov.

Selective Service Deputy Director Edward Allard (left) swears in Larry Stewart as the new Selective Service state director for Georgia at a ceremony held at Selective Service National Headquarters on July 24, 2013. Stewart was nominated by Gov. Nathan Deal and appointed by Selective Service Director Lawrence Romo.