Valley woman to be sworn in as new Alaska Selective Service State Director

WASILLA — The Valley’s own Edie Grunwald will be sworn in by U.S. Selective Service Director Donald M. Benton as the new Alaska Selective Service State Director Friday at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office.

Grunwald is replacing outgoing state director Alan Ezzle. Grunwald said that she’s excited to start her new role as a liaison between the Selective Service System and the governor’s office. She will represent the governor’ as well as the Selective Service Director regarding agency matters in Alaska.

“I am truly honored to serve as the State Director for the Selective Service System. It is a privilege to serve Alaska and my country. I am proud to have been selected and will work toward improving our registration rates and increasing local board membership,” Grunwald said.

While the U.S military has been all-volunteer since 1973, Federal law requires all male citizens and male non-citizens residing in the U.S. to register to the Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday.

Twenty-six is the cut off age and failing to register for selective service can result in losing crucial benefits.

Those who do not register by their 26th birthday are ineligible for federal student financial aid, job training, government employment, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants.

“Registration is a civic duty and it’s the law. It also conveys numerous state and federal benefits to individuals who register and to the nation,” Grunwald said.

The 2018 registration rates for Alaskan 18-year-olds was 58.37 percent, according to Grunwald. She said her goal is to improve Alaska’s registration rates, especially with high school outreach.

Selective Service Director’s are required to have to be at least a retired colonel or general and cannot be active duty or reserve. Alaska National Guard Adjutant General, Major General Torrence Saxe reached out to Grunwald to see if she would be interested in the position.

“I thought okay I can do that,” Grunwald said with a laugh.

Grunwald is a retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force. Her husband, Ben, is also retired from the Air Force. He was a Master Sergeant.

Grunwald built her life around the military and her service shaped who she was. She said that she’s happy to come back to a familiar setting.

“It’s military, it’s what I know,” Grunwald said.

Grunwald currently serves as Chair for the Alaska Parole Board. She said this new Selective Service position is part time but she aims to make as much difference as she can in this new chapter of her life.

Grunwald’s induction ceremony starts at 10 a.m. at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, located at 1500 West Benson Boulevard, within the Wells Fargo Building.

Alaska Selective Service is currently seeking volunteers to serve on Selective Service boards across the state. Those who are interested can submit an application online at at sss.gov.

For more information, call 1-847-688-6888 or toll-free 1-888-655-1825.