Nearly all men between the ages of 18 and 25 living in the United States are mandated by law to register for the military draft.
Registration for the draft is conducted and managed by the Selective Service System.
Military draft registration is considered a civic obligation on the part of male individuals living in America, but the same does not apply to women in the U.S.
Here are 7 things you need to know about the military draft.
Related Article –
Table of Contents
1. What Is The Military Draft?
In the United States, the military draft requires mandatory enrollment in the Selective Service for certain individual citizens.
The draft, also known as conscription, refers to this potential mandatory military service requirement if the U.S. government finds the draft necessary.
Registering for the draft is an obligation the U.S. government requires of male citizens within a specific age range.
The purpose of the draft is so that the country would have enough personnel to support the military if called upon for defense or in response to a national emergency.
The U.S. Selective Service System is the agency that oversees draft registration.
The Selective Service is also responsible for implementing and running a draft if/when it is enacted by Congress and the President of the United States.
The U.S. military has been an “all-volunteer” force, with no active draft, since 1973.
This means that each branch of the Armed Forces is presently made up of individuals who choose to serve of their own volition.
However, at the age of 18, male U.S. citizens are required to register for the draft whether they have ever considered military service or not.
As a result, registered Selective Service members could be drafted (involuntarily) into military service by an act of Congress in case of a national emergency or threat.
Foundations of the Modern Draft
The policies and legislation that form the basis of the modern military draft began when the U.S. entered World War I.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Selective Service Act in May of 1917, which created the Selective Service System.
At first, the Selective Service applied to male citizens from the ages of 21 to 30, and then 18 to 45.
In September of 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act into law, establishing the first peacetime draft in U.S. history.
This was in response to World War II and applied to males ages 21 to 31.
Though the Selective Service legislation was set to expire in 1947 and 1950, world events and conflicts such as the Korean War kept extending the draft.
In 1951, the Selective Service Act was reauthorized as the Universal Military Training and Service Act.
As a result, all males ages 18 to 26 were required to register for the military draft.
Examples of the Modern Draft
Most Americans today associate the military draft, and controversies surrounding it, with the Vietnam War of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
During this war, as many as 1.8 million were drafted into active duty military service.
Many of those who were called forth for military service by the draft lottery process of 1969, under the Military Selective Service Act, became conscientious objectors, “dodged” the draft by fleeing the U.S., or refused to respond to their conscription notices.
Such resistance to being drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces divided public opinion and emphasized the political, ethical, and practical consequences changed the approach to conscription.
In January 1973, the Department of Defense suspended the draft, allowing the Military Selective Service Act to expire in June.
After the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1980, President Jimmy Carter reactivated the Military Selective Service Act through an executive order.
There was no mandate of military service, but the act required males from the ages of 18 to 25 to register with the Selective Service System.
Related Article –
2. How The Draft System Works
If a draft is authorized by Congress and the U.S. President, the Selective Service System begins to call registered men, ages 18-25, for military duty.
The sequence for the call to duty is generally determined by birth year and random lottery numbers.
The men who are called for military service will be evaluated for mental, physical, and moral fitness.
Based on this examination, they may be inducted into the Armed Forces, deferred, or exempted from military service for medical or psychological reasons.
Projections are that if the U.S. enacted a draft, those who are registered and age 20 would be the first group to be called.
Once a registered individual turns 26 years old, he is over the liability age for the draft.
3. Military Draft Requirements For 2023
As of 2023, men in the U.S. who are between 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System, by law.
Male U.S. citizens must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday.
Male immigrants, if they have turned 18 or are younger than 26 years old, must register within 30 days of their arrival date in the U.S.
There are some people who are exempt from registering for the military draft and therefore do not have to file any forms with the Secret Service System.
These include:
Current active duty service members
Persons with specific disabilities
Incarcerated men
Men with student, visitor, or diplomatic visas
However, if a male active duty service member is discharged before they turn 26 years old, they still must register.
There are some men (conscientious objectors) who are opposed to serving in the military.
Their reasons vary but are based primarily on the grounds of moral and/or religious principles.
These conscientious objectors are still required to register with the Selective Service System, by law.
4. Consequences For Not Registering For The Draft
There are consequences for those who are required to register for the draft but do not.
Intentionally avoiding draft registration in the U.S. is a felony.
Not registering with the Selective Service System can bring about the following legal and personal consequences:
Ineligibility for state benefits, especially for state-funded student aid
Ineligibility for federal job training, jobs, and/or benefits
Potential prosecution and penalty of up to $250,000 in fines and/or up to five years in prison
Loss of the right to vote, etc., upon a felony conviction
Ineligibility for citizenship for immigrants to the U.S.
If someone fails to register with the Selective Service by age 26, they are no longer eligible to do so.
The most recent prosecution for avoiding draft registration took place in 1986.
Since then, the Selective Service System can and does provide information about people who fail to register for the draft to the Department of Justice.
Those who can provide evidence that they did not intentionally avoid registering for the draft may be able to obtain denied federal or state benefits.
However, this type of appeal is likely to take a great deal of time and money.
Related Article –
5. How To Register For The Draft
Since registering for the draft is mandatory by law, the registration process is fairly straightforward and simple.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to register for the draft:
Registration
Men who have turned 18 can register for the military draft in a few ways:
Registration form at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when getting a driver’s license
Return card sent to the mailing address (near 18th birthday)
In addition, some high schools facilitate draft registration.
Receive Proof of Registration
Within 90 days of registering with the Selective Service, a letter and registration card will arrive in the mail.
This letter and card serve as proof of Selective Service registration.
Those that don’t receive their letter and card within 90 days can call the Selective Service System.
In addition, it’s important to contact the Selective Service System if there is an error on your registration card, if you change your name, or if your mailing address changes.
Individuals are required to keep their information updated until age 26.
If a registration card is lost, the accompanying letter will serve as proof of registration.
After Completed Registration
No action needs to be taken once proof of registration is received, unless a draft is enacted.
However, it is the responsibility of the draft registration holder to notify the Selective Service System of any new personal information.
This includes name or address changes.
For the most part, once you turn 26 years old, you are exempt from the military draft.
6. Women And The Draft
Currently, Selective Service legislation regarding American citizens who must register for conscription applies specifically and only to “male” individuals.
This exclusion of women has been upheld by the Supreme Court since 1981, Rostker v. Goldberg.
The Department of Defense officially lifted gender-based restrictions on military service in late 2015, including eliminating combat restrictions for women.
However, Selective Service continues to apply only to men, aged 18 to 25.
Therefore, Congress must amend the law to require or even permit women to register with Selective Service.
Related Article – Best Jobs For Female Marines
7. Likelihood Of Future Draft
It appears very unlikely that the U.S. will enact a draft in the near future.
In fact, many legislators have offered support for a movement to end draft registration or to include women in the conscription policy as well.
Though changes to Selective Service legislation may take place in the future, the likelihood of a draft is very low.
Therefore, it appears that the U.S. military will remain an all-volunteer force for the foreseeable future.
Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
Latest posts by Rob V. (see all)
5 Best Cortisol Blockers For 2023 - May 27, 2023
10 Highest Navy Medals Explained - May 21, 2023
16 Presidents That Did NOT Serve In The Military - May 18, 2023
US Military War Draft
4.5 out of 5 (60 Ratings)
Learn more about the US military draft system, including the requirements, ages, rules, how likely a draft will happen soon, and more.
Related Articles You Might Be Interested In:
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally vetted. Learn more.
Share on FacebookTweet on twitterShare on google+Pin to pinterest
Men turning 21 in the year of the draft would be second priority, men turning 22 would be third, and so on until a man turns 26, at which time he is over the age of liability.
Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office.
Veterans, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft.
Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. military service depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.
Registrant qualified for service only in time of war or national emergency. The 1-Y classification was abolished 10 December 1971. Local boards were subsequently instructed to reclassify all 1-Y registrants by administrative action. Registrant deferred because of essential civilian non-agricultural occupation.
Present - The U.S. currently operates under an all-volunteer armed forces policy. All male citizens between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register for the draft and are liable for training and service until the age of 35.
Current DOD accession policy lists ADHD as disqualifying for military applicants if they meet any of the following conditions: ADHD medication prescribed in the previous 24 months, an educational plan or work accommodation after age 14, a history of comorbid mental health disorders, or documentation of adverse academic ...
United States military recruiting standards vary according to branch; however, most felonies are excluded from the felony waiver. A felony that occurs below the age of criminal responsibility is more likely to be waived; likelihood decreases if the felony occurred as an adult.
Today, all conscientious objectors are required to register with the Selective Service System. A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.
Those men were offered amnesty by President Gerald Ford in 1974 and pardoned by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Failing to register for the draft or join the military as directed is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison term of up to five years, or a combination of both.
According to the U.S. Air Force Medical Standards Directory, Autism Spectrum Disorder is not disqualifying for continued military service unless it is currently--or has a history of--compromising military duty or training.
[ fawr-ef, fohr- ] show ipa. noun. a U.S. Selective Service classification designating a person considered physically, psychologically, or morally unfit for military duty. a person so classified.
Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first. This lack of a system resulted in uncertainty for the potential draftees during the entire time they were within the draft-eligible age group. All throughout a young man's early 20's he did not know if he would be drafted.
On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft.
While women officers and enlisted personnel serve with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces, women have never been subject to Selective Service registration or a military draft in America. Those women who served in the past and those who serve today in ever increasing numbers all volunteered for military service.
Because asthma can impede a person's ability to perform at the same level consistently, it is a disqualifying condition in the Medical Standards for Military service¹, which applies to the entire military.
Other potentially disqualifying conditions under the DOD's “Learning, Psychiatric, and Behavioral Disorders” section include dyslexia, autism, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety.
They can be a disqualifying condition for people who are interested in joining the military if the symptoms of flat feet are noticeable and present. Some symptoms can include pain in the arch or heel, and the ankles being swollen.
Symptoms related to ADHD can interfere with functioning and job performance. If you are unable to function adequately (for example, follow an appropriate daily routine, get to appointments on time, et cetera) without ADHD medication, you might not be able to join the military.
Asthma, mental health issues and ADHD top the list of maladies that keep the recruiters at bay, says Mission: Readiness. Even those who currently serve can have health-related issues that keep them from deploying, such as dental problems and recurring injuries.
Draftees receive four-year contracts that come with a base salary, a signing bonus, and a specific allotment of guaranteed salary. But rookie contracts in the NFL differ depending on when a player is drafted.
Obtaining conscientious objector status by professing insincere religious or ethical beliefs. Obtaining a student deferment, if the student wishes to attend or remain in school largely to avoid the draft. Claiming a medical or psychological problem, if the purported problem is feigned, overstated, or self-inflicted.
Rookies and their agents can still negotiate conditions like scheduled signing bonus payments or offset language, but most rookie contracts are set in stone. However, if a rookie refuses to sign his contract, he could hold out for the entire season and re-enter the draft the following year.
At what age can you no longer be drafted? Once you're 26, you're exempt from being drafted ... kind of. "There's historical precedent for extending that age," Winkie says before noting that in August 1918, during World War I, the age limit was amended to 45.
The U.S. begins a national conscription service; some Amish boys receive exemptions for farm deferments as conscientious objectors, but others are required to report to Army camps. Drafted Amish who refuse to enter armed service are sent to the Army camps for non-combatant service and are often subjected to abuse.
Yes, you are still required to register with Selective Service. Virtually all men must register with Selective Service, even those who believe they'll be exempt from serving. In the event of a draft, men called for induction would be able to make a claim for deferments, postponements, or exemption from serving.
Medical conditions, criminal history, age, physical fitness, and drug abuse can all disqualify you from joining the Army. Other disqualifying factors include failing to meet minimum educational requirements, having a dishonorable discharge from the military, or having a record of mental illness.
Antidepressants are disqualifying for one year after you stop taking them. You must stop with your doctor's advice; do not stop on your own. These medications often have to be reduced slowly to lower side effects and reduce risk of relapse.
For example, those with ADHD are only permitted to serve if they meet certain criteria (e.g., they haven't been prescribed medication in the previous 24 months), while individuals with diagnosed ASD are barred entirely (Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness [OUSD(P&R)], 2018).
A-1 (code) was the designation for a code used by the United States Navy during World War I. A1, a designation of military staff in the continental staff system. A-1, a grade of Republic of China List of orders, decorations and medals of the Republic of China#General Armed Forces medals.
force/activity designator — Number used in conjunction with urgency of need designators to establish a matrix of priorities used for supply requisitions. Also called F/AD. See also force. force beddown — The provision of expedient facilities for troop support to provide a platform for the projection of force.
Okoye was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He is still the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft at only 19 years.
His army had some 10,000 child soldiers between the ages of 7 and 16. As the war spread, it involved armies from eight different countries and a multitude of rebel groups. It continues today.
On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service.
All men between the ages of 18 and 64 were required to register for the draft, but married men were exempt from military service. Many a man chose to march down the aisle rather than march for Uncle Sam, enough so that Brigadier General Heber L.
The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. It's possible to receive an age waiver if you retire with 20 years of military service by age 55.
While there is currently no draft, registration with the Selective Service System is the most publicly visible program during peacetime that ensures operational readiness in a fair and equitable manner.
As of January 2016, there has been no decision to require females to register with Selective Service, or be subject to a future military draft. Selective Service continues to register only men, ages 18 through 25. Following a unanimous recommendation by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Leon E.
Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It's important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military.
Poor vision typically will not limit your ability to serve in the U.S. Military, so long as your vision problem can be suitably corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision correction surgery.
Hyperlipidemia that is controlled (Total Cholesterol < 240, LDL< 160, Triglycerides< 500) with a medication regimen that has been stable for 90 days and requires no changes, does not require a waiver.
criminal record. 10 U.S.C.504 prohibits any person who has been convicted of a felony from being enlisted in any of the Military Services; however, 10 U.S.C. 504 authorizes a waiver in meritorious cases. Except as limited by paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section, persons.
The weight standards are about your height and gender. For example, if you're 60 inches tall and a male, you must be 141lb maximum. If you're 70 inches and a female, you cannot weigh more than 177lb. The weight range is from 127lb to 241lb but depends on your height and age.
The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. It's possible to receive an age waiver if you retire with 20 years of military service by age 55.
If required to register with Selective Service, failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. Also, a person who knowingly counsels, aids, or abets another to fail to comply with the registration requirement is subject to the same penalties.
The criteria for exemption from registration are: A man is placed in a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or mental institution on or before his 18th birthday, had no breaks of institutionalization of 30 days or longer, and remained institutionalized until his 26th birthday.
Applicants with an ADHD diagnosis are thoroughly evaluated during medical screening at MEPS, with severe/debilitating cases disqualified. Most individuals with ADHD are effectively treated with medication, psychiatric care, or a combination of both (Wigal, 2009).
Originating in the military, buddy systems continue to be deployed by the armed forces. The same fundamental approach is to be found in multiple workplaces, ranging from transport to construction to healthcare and other roles dealing face-to-face with the public.
Military personnel who develop asthma while on duty will be discharged. According to the military's Medical Standards for Retention, the armed forces will only not retain a person if their condition persists even with treatment and hinders them from adequately performing their duties.
Rookies and their agents can still negotiate conditions like scheduled signing bonus payments or offset language, but most rookie contracts are set in stone. However, if a rookie refuses to sign his contract, he could hold out for the entire season and re-enter the draft the following year.
The only one of 18 players to turn down the NFL's invitation to attend the draft, Skoronski instead chose to share the moment at a local pizzeria called Piece, where he was christened, in which his father is an investor.
Even among the fit, drug-free, educated masses, many will still be too short, too tall, have flat feet or be the single parent of a minor child. All of those reasons will keep someone out of the military in general, but each branch has its own particular limitations. Too many tattoos? Forget about the Marine Corps.
The absence of one or both testicl*s, whether congenital, acquired, or unexplained absence of a testicl* is also unacceptable according to military standards.
States that have enacted and implemented legislation tying registration with Selective Service to state benefits but not to driver's licenses: Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Dakota.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
