US Plans Automatic Draft Registration for Men Aged 18–25 from December 2026

The United States is set to begin automatic registration of eligible men into its military draft system by December 2026, replacing the current self-registration model.

The Selective Service System filed a proposed rule with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on March 30, outlining the planned changes.

Although men between 18 and 25 are already legally required to register, automatic enrollment was mandated under the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act passed in December 2025.

According to the agency, the reform is designed to streamline the process and cut costs.

It “transfers responsibility for registration from individual men to SSS through integration with federal data sources.”

The proposal is still under review and has not yet received final approval.

The U.S. has relied on voluntary military service since 1973, following the end of the Vietnam War. However, the Selective Service framework was reintroduced in 1980 by former President Jimmy Carter to prepare for emergencies requiring troop mobilisation.

Rising global tensions, including the situation involving Iran, have prompted renewed attention on the draft system, though a temporary ceasefire is currently holding.

Addressing public concerns, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in March that a draft is “not part of the current plan right now,” noting that President Donald Trump “wisely keeps his options on the table.”

Any move to reinstate compulsory service would require action by Congress, as the president alone cannot enforce a draft under existing law.

Failure to register carries significant penalties, including loss of access to federal student aid, certain benefits, and government employment, as well as fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of up to five years. Immigrants who fail to comply could also lose their citizenship.

Under the proposed rule, eligible men would be enrolled automatically within 30 days of turning 18, while women remain excluded despite ongoing legislative debates.

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