With global tensions rising and the United States adopting a more assertive military posture, Americans are once again asking an urgent question: who would be drafted first if a major war broke out?
During the Vietnam War, about 1.8 million men were drafted between 1964 and 1973, with 17,671 losing their lives in combat, according to the National Archives.
“Whether someone volunteered or was drafted, all deserve respect for their service,” Vietnam veteran Joe Parsetich told Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in 2023. “The sacrifices of draftees were just as real as any volunteer’s.”
Although the last conscription under the Selective Service System (SSS) occurred in June 1973, the legal mechanism to reactivate the draft still exists.
Who Must Register
By law, almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants must register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Late registration is permitted up to a man’s 26th birthday, but failure to register is considered a serious offense.
The official SSS website warns that men who do not register may face:
- Fines up to $250,000
- Prison sentences of up to five years
- Loss of eligibility for federal student aid, job training programs, and many government positions
Immigrants who fail to register could also experience delays of up to five years in citizenship applications.
How the Draft Would Be Implemented
If a draft were reinstated, Congress would first need to amend the Military Selective Service Act, granting the president the authority to begin conscription. Once authorized, the Selective Service would issue induction orders.
The selection process begins with a national lottery, a public event where birthdays are drawn randomly to determine the order in which men are called.
- First in line: Men turning 20 in the year of the lottery
- Next: Men aged 21 to 25, in ascending order, if additional troops are needed
- Maximum age: 26, after which men are no longer eligible for that draft cycle
Once a man is drafted, he reports to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for a full physical, mental, and moral evaluation before heading to boot camp or being deferred.
No Automatic Exemptions
During wartime, standards for fitness, education, and criminal history may be relaxed if the military requires more personnel.
A former Army combat medic explained in a YouTube video titled “Who Would Be Drafted”: