As global tensions rise, especially in the Middle East, many Americans are searching for information about the U.S. military draft. Searches for terms like “WWIII” and “U.S. draft age limit” have surged, reflecting concerns about the possibility of a large-scale conflict. While the United States ended the draft in 1973 and transitioned to an all-volunteer military, the system for compulsory service remains in place and could be reinstated in a national emergency.
The Selective Service System oversees this process, maintaining a registry of approximately 16.4 million men aged 18 to 25. Federal law requires all men to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to register can lead to penalties such as fines, imprisonment, or loss of eligibility for federal financial aid and government jobs.
Reactivating the draft would require approval from both the President and Congress to amend the Military Selective Service Act. Once approved, the Selective Service would have up to 193 days to begin drafting eligible individuals. The process would start with a national lottery, assigning random numbers to birth dates, similar to the system used during the Vietnam War. Those with the lowest numbers, typically beginning with 20-year-olds, would be called first. If more troops were needed, the age range could be expanded.
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