Men to Be Auto-Enrolled in Military Draft from December, Says SSS

Starting in December 2026, eligible men will be automatically registered for the U.S. military draft. This change was signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2025.

Changes to the Selective Service System

The automatic registration is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026. It aims to streamline the process by integrating federal data sources for registration.

The Selective Service System (SSS), responsible for maintaining a database of potential draftees, worked with Congress on this legislative update. The move intends to save costs and address declining registration rates.

Current Registration Requirements

Currently, male U.S. citizens and immigrants aged 18 to 25 must self-register within 30 days of turning 18. Failing to register can result in penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and loss of eligibility for federal programs.

The draft has not been activated since the Vietnam War in 1973, and the U.S. military currently relies on volunteers. Women remain exempt from compulsory registration despite legislative discussions.

Future Implementation

The proposed rule for automatic registration was submitted in March for review. Lawmakers included this measure in the defense bill to improve efficiency and allocate resources towards readiness instead of recruitment campaigns.

"This will also allow us to rededicate resources—basically that means money—towards readiness and mobilization rather than education and advertising campaigns driven to register people," said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan.