As global conflicts continue to intensify and the United States takes a firmer stance on international security, many Americans are asking a question that hasn’t been top-of-mind for decades: who would be drafted first if a major war erupted?
Historically, conscription has played a critical role in U.S. military campaigns. During the Vietnam War, for example, roughly 1.8 million men were drafted between 1964 and 1973, and 17,671 of them lost their lives in combat, according to the National Archives.
“Whether someone volunteered or was drafted, their sacrifices deserve full respect,” Vietnam veteran Joe Parsetich told Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in 2023. “The commitment of draftees was just as important as anyone else’s.”
Although the Selective Service System (SSS) hasn’t called men to serve since June 30, 1973, the legal framework to reinstate a draft remains intact.
Registration Is Mandatory
Federal law requires nearly all male U.S. citizens — and male immigrants — to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Late registration is allowed up until a man’s 26th birthday, but failure to register is a serious offense.
According to the official SSS website, penalties for noncompliance can include fines up to $250,000, up to five years in prison, and restrictions on federal student aid, job training, and government employment. Immigrants may also face delays of up to five years in U.S. citizenship applications.
How a Draft Would Work
If the U.S. government needed to reinstate the draft, Congress would first have to amend the Military Selective Service Act, giving the president legal authority to begin conscription. Once activated, the Selective Service would issue induction orders, starting the process for eligible men.
The order of who is drafted is determined by a national lottery — a highly public event where birthdays are randomly selected.
- First to be called: Men whose 20th birthday falls in the year of the lottery.
- Next: Men aged 21 through 25, in ascending order, if additional troops are required.
- Maximum age: 26, after which a man is exempt for that cycle.
Once drafted, individuals report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for comprehensive physical, mental, and moral evaluations before either attending boot camp or being deferred.
Exemptions Aren’t Guaranteed
During national emergencies, the military can adjust standards for fitness, education, or criminal history depending on manpower needs.
A former Army combat medic warned in a widely viewed YouTube video titled “Who Would Be Drafted”:
“If World War III breaks out, 18- to 25-year-old men are at highest risk. Even if you are overweight, have a misdemeanor, or lack a high school diploma, you could still be drafted. Felony convictions don’t always provide exemption either.”
This means the first Americans drafted in a future conflict could include men who may not meet traditional physical or educational standards.
Rapid Deployment
The Selective Service System is designed to act fast. According to SSS guidelines, the first inductees could be delivered to the military within 193 days of a draft being authorized — showing how quickly legal decisions could translate into reality for young men across the country.
Only Men Are Required to Register
Currently, only men are legally obligated to register, though lawmakers have occasionally debated including women in the Selective Service. No such legislation has passed, meaning young men would be the first Americans drafted if war required conscription.
Public Concern Grows
While the U.S. is not actively engaged in a conflict that would require a draft, recent military operations and rising international tensions have reignited public discussion about military conscription and who would be affected first.
If the Selective Service were activated, the lottery system already defines the order, making 20-year-old men the first in line.
What are your thoughts on a potential draft if the U.S. escalates military involvement abroad? Share your opinions and join the conversation online.