U.S. proposes automatic military registration to draft-eligible men
· Toronto Sun
The United States has proposed a rule that would see men who are eligible to serve in the country’s military automatically registered into a draft pool for the first time in more than half a century.
The Selective Service System, the government agency that maintains a database of males who would be suitable for military service in case of a national emergency, submitted the rule on March 30, according to its website .
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“This statutory change transfers responsibility for registration from individual men to SSS through integration with federal data sources,” the website reads .
“SSS will implement the change by December 2026, resulting in a streamlined registration process and corresponding workforce realignment.”
Signed into law by Trump
The proposed rule is part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Dec. 18, 2025, that mandated automatic registration of eligible men. There is no law or requirement that would see women enter the draft pool at this time.
The agency said the proposed change is an effort to streamline the registration process.
“This will also allow us to rededicate resources — basically that means money — towards [readiness] and towards mobilization … rather than towards education and advertising campaigns driven to register people,” Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said at the time, according to the Military Times .
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Registration required in event of national emergency
Currently, most men who are U.S. citizens and immigrants between 18 and 25 years of age are required to register with the Selective Service if Congress and the president authorize a draft due to a national emergency.
The last time the U.S. activated a military draft was in 1973, close to the end of the Vietnam War.
The draft was suspended by President Gerald Ford in 1975, but was reinstated in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan
But there are concerns that if the war with Iran drags on, another draft would be necessary to bolster an invading force.
Last month, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if a military draft would be necessary.
“It’s not part of the current plan right now,” Leavitt said, according to the New York Post .
There are 46 states and territories that automatically register eligible men when they apply for a driver’s licence or government identification, according to the Selective Service.