Streamlining draft readiness: U.S. government to auto-register men for military draft

The U.S. government plans to automatically register men ages 18 to 25 for military draft eligibility by December 2026, according to the BBC. This reportedly ends the need for voluntary, self-registration with the Selective Service System (SSS). The change uses federal data sources for a "streamlined registration process," as noted on the SSS website.

Congress approved the shift in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law last December, Business Insider reports. The SSS submitted the proposal on Monday, March 30, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review, BBC confirmed. Proponents say it saves millions spent on reminders and boosts compliance, which government data explained dropped to 81% in 2024.

History and penalties

What is Selective Service? It maintains a database of eligible men for potential conscription during national emergencies. Created during World War I, it went into "deep standby" after the all-volunteer force began in 1973, Business Insider noted. BBC clarified that registration restarted in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter.

The last U.S. draft ended in 1973 amid Vietnam War protests. About 1.8 million were drafted then, BBC confirmed. Today, women remain ineligible, though debates continue.

Failing to register is a felony, according to Business Insider. Penalties include up to five years in prison, $250,000 fines, lost federal aid, jobs, or citizenship for non-citizens. Prosecutions are rare, Business Insider says, but many states already auto-register via driver's licenses.

Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat, sponsored the bill language. "Basically that means money, towards readiness and towards mobilisation," Houlahan said, according to Military Times, BBC says. "Rather than towards education and advertising campaigns driven to register people."

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Fears of renewed conscription have grown amid global conflicts. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed draft worries over Iran tensions on Fox News. "It's not part of the current plan right now, but the president, again, wisely keeps his options on the table," Leavitt said, as reported by Business Insider.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed caution on CBS News' "60 Minutes," Business Insider confirmed. "You don't tell the enemy, you don't tell the press, you don't tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation," he said. The U.S. relies on volunteers now, but the system readies itself for future crises.

This update integrates data from agencies, shifting the burden from individuals. It affects all 50 states without changing draft status. Officials stress no draft is planned.