The Trump administration plans to automatically register eligible men for the military draft from December — streamlining the selection process if conscription were enforced for the first time in more than 50 years.
The plan is for the Selective Service System (SSS) to register “every male citizen of the United States” between the ages of 18 and 25 to a list of those eligible to serve under a draft, rather than wait for them to self-register.
Although the US hasn’t held a military draft since 1973, during the Vietnam War, the historic change comes as the possibility of a drawn-out conflict with Iran has fueled fears that one could be enforced.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last month that such a draft is “not part of the current plan” — but Trump “wisely keeps his options on the table.”
“There’s no greater priority or responsibility to this president than, of course, protecting the American people and protecting our troops,” she said.
The change is eyed as a way of streamlining the current way eligible men have to register. Bringing back an actual draft would require Congress to amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the president to enlist civilians during a national emergency.
Who is required to register for the draft?
All male US citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are already required by federal law to register with the Selective Service System (SSS), which maintains the database of draft-eligible Americans.
That includes male immigrants — including undocumented immigrants and refugees — as well as transgender people who were born male, dual citizens, US citizens abroad and those with disabilities, according to the agency’s website.
Women are not eligible for selective service under the Military Selective Service Act, which currently only authorizes the registration of “male persons.”
However, SSS said on its website it “is prepared to expand registration” if Congress were to pass new legislation, including women in mandatory service.
Those already on active duty, men with certain disabilities and those who are locked in prison are exempt from registering. Men who have previously served in the military but were discharged before their 26th birthday must also register.
Conscientious objectors are still required to sign up.
Registration numbers have fallen off in recent years in part because the option to register was removed from federal student loan forms in 2022, according to the Military Times.
Is there a penalty for not registering?
Failing to register with the Selective Service System is a felony.
Non-registrants face fines of up to $250,000 or five years’ imprisonment, and could also be denied student loans, government jobs (including federal, state and local) and US citizenship, if they are immigrants.
Men are expected to self-register within 30 days of their 18th birthdays, but the agency accepts late registrations until age 26.
What would a military draft look like?
All registrants would enter a lottery, and a random drawing of birthdays and numbers determines the order in which those picked report for service, according to the SSS.
The first to receive orders for service are those whose 20th birthday falls during the year of the lottery. If required, additional lotteries are conducted for those starting at 21, then through 25, and then 19, and finally 18-and-a-half years old.
Those who are chosen will have a chance to make claims for postponement, deferment or exemption. They must report to a local Military Entrance Processing Station for a physical, mental and moral evaluation.
Afterwards, they will be notified whether they will be inducted into service or sent home.
Automatic draft registration
Congress had already approved automatic registration for the draft last December as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act — which is must-pass legislation that authorizes funding for military personnel and operations.
Forty-six states and territories already have laws in place to automatically register eligible men when they apply for driver’s licenses or IDs.
The SSS submitted the “automatic registration” rule change to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on March 30.
The change will result “in a streamlined registration process and corresponding workforce realignment,” the SSS said.
