US moves to ‘automatically register’ eligible young men for military draft amid Iran conflict
WASHINGTON, DC: Although the US and Iran have reached a two-sided temporary ceasefire amid the ongoing war, the federal government appears to be planning an expansion of its military human resources, as any eligible young man would be automatically registered for the draft.
Changes have been proposed to the ‘automatic registration’ rule, stating that eligible men will be automatically added to the draft database starting in December this year.
Automatic draft registration to expand US military pool
The Selective Service System (SSS), which maintains the database of draft-eligible Americans, submitted the proposed changes to the ‘automatic registration’ rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Monday, March 30.
Congress approved automatic draft registration last December as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, but it has not yet been cleared through legislation that authorizes funding for military personnel and operations.
Under current federal law, most eligible men aged 18 to 25 are already required to register with the Selective Service System, though automatic registration was passed in December last year.
The changes to the rule “transfers responsibility for registration from individual men to SSS through integration with federal data sources,” per the website.
The proposed rule for automatic integration of eligible men into the draft is currently under review by the regulatory affairs office and awaits finalization.
US military remains voluntary, draft not planned
Military service in the US has been voluntary since 1973, and the government has not activated a draft since the Vietnam War.
However, former President Jimmy Carter in 1980 stated that the SSS could use the registry to “provide personnel to the Department of War and alternative service for conscientious objectors” in case of a “national emergency,” with the “permission of the President and Congress.”
Addressing speculation about whether draft measures could take place amid the war with Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in March that while a draft is not part of the current plan, President Donald Trump “wisely keeps his options on the table.”
Congress must approve any US military draft induction
Trump cannot use executive power in the case of an individual’s integration into the military. “Congress would need to pass legislation to amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the president to induct personnel into the military.”
While draft registration has been mandatory, failure to comply is considered a crime and can prevent individuals from receiving state-funded financial aid and employment in numerous states.
Additionally, immigrants who fail to register may risk losing their citizenship.
