 The Civilian Public Service ( CPS ) was a program of the United States government that provided conscientious objectors with an alternative to military service during World War II . From 1941 to 1947 , nearly 12 @,@ 000 draftees , willing to serve their country in some capacity but unwilling to perform any type of military service , accepted assignments in work of national importance .
 everyone who served in the program was known as a " conscientious objector " ( C.O. ) .
The Civilian Public Service program was established in 1941, after the Selective Service Act of 1940 was passed by Congress. The program was