Which Americans Will Be Automatically Registered for Military Draft, and When? (April 2026)
www.military.com

... A government filing shows that men of a certain age could be automatically registered for a military draft before this year ends.

The website of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs shows that a proposed rule submitted on March 30 would fast-track a change to go in effect by December 2026 after initially being approved by Congress in 2025 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

The rule was submitted by the Selective Service System (SSS), the government agency that maintains the draft-eligible database, and encompasses American males aged 18-25.

While the U.S. has long utilized an all-volunteer force and a draft has not been in effect since the tail end of the Vietnam War in the 1970s, the option of conscription has been considered an option since the SSS registration was reinstated in 1980 by then-President Jimmy Carter.

This new rule could have legal and financial penalties, as failure to register is a felony punishable with a fine of up to $250,000 or up to 5 years in prison. ...