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The US has not conducted a draft since the Vietnam War, but rising global tensions, including the ongoing Iran conflict, have renewed focus on preparedness.
Under a proposed rule, the Selective Service System (SSS) plans to begin automatic registration by December 2026. (Pic credit: https://x.com/USArmy)
UPDATED: Apr 9, 2026 14:02 IST
Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, the US is moving to overhaul its military draft system for the first time in decades, with a new proposal to automatically register eligible men. This will mark the most significant change since the Vietnam War, when the country last enforced conscription.
Under a proposed rule, the Selective Service System (SSS) plans to begin automatic registration by December 2026, shifting the responsibility away from individuals, a New York Post report said.
The US has not conducted a draft since the Vietnam War, but rising global tensions, including the Iran conflict, have renewed focus on preparedness.
The change follows approval by Congress in the 2026 Defense Authorization Act, which mandates integrating federal data to enroll eligible men directly into the draft database.
Currently, all men aged 18 to 25 are legally required to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Failure to do so is a felony, punishable by fines, imprisonment, and loss of access to government benefits and jobs.
While many US states already link draft registration to driver’s licence applications, the new system will make registration automatic nationwide—modernising a system that has remained largely unchanged since the Vietnam War period.
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Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Apr 9, 2026 14:02 IST
