U.S. Plans Automatic Military Draft Registration by December 2026

The Selective Service System (SSS) has announced plans to automatically register eligible American men aged 18 to 26 for the military draft by December 2026. This initiative follows a congressional mandate included in the National Defense Authorization Act passed in December 2025, which requires automatic registration for "every male citizen of the United States" within the specified age range.

The United States has not conducted a military draft since 1973, during the conclusion of the Vietnam War. However, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed a law requiring men between 18 and 25 to register for potential conscription. Since then, the government has relied on voluntary compliance, with men up to age 26 permitted to enroll late to meet the requirement.

In 2024, the SSS reported an 81% registration rate among eligible men, marking a three-percentage point decline from the previous year. The proposal for automatic enrollment was submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on March 30, 2026.

This development comes approximately a month after the United States and Israel initiated military operations against Iran. A two-week ceasefire in that conflict took effect on April 7, 2026. Despite the ongoing military engagements, there are currently no plans to reinstate the draft. However, on March 8, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump "keeps his options on the table" when questioned about the possibility of reinstating the draft.

Failure to comply with SSS registration is considered a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 or up to five years in prison. Additionally, registration is a prerequisite for certain employment opportunities and student financial aid in some states. While it was previously required for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), this requirement was removed as part of the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act.