The first citizens to be drafted in the event that the U.S. went to war

Even though the US finally ended its military involvement Afghanistan, concluding its longest war in the history of the nation, the threat of another major conflict never seems to be far away. Especially with tensions around the world rising in recent years.

While there is a tentative piece between Israel and Hezbollah and Hamas, a lasting peace has eluded the region for decades. As well, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is ongoing despite Trump’s promise to bring peace. And relations with China have become more soured since Trump returned to office.

An escalation between the US and either China or Russia could lead to military conflict either with China trying to retake Taiwan by force or a direct clash between NATO and Russia. 65% and 69%, respectively, of respondents to the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security 2025 Global Foresight survey somewhat or strongly agreed that these scenarios could come to pass within the next decade.

More than 40% of those surveyed expected there to be a global conflict on multiple fronts among the great powers. Of those predicting World War III, nearly two thirds expected nuclear weapons to be used. Two out three of them foresee such a conflict playing out in space as well.

If that were to come to pass, the US may need to call on more of its citizens to fight than currently serve in the various branches of the US Armed Forces. The US hasn’t had a draft since January 1973, but the nation’s men are required by law to be registered for Selective Service in the event of a national emergency.

Those who the United States would draft first if there were a war

Nearly all male US citizens and male immigrants, regardless of immigration status, are required under federal law to register for Select Service within 30 days of turning age 18. Late registrations are allowed until a man reaches his 26th birthday, but failure to do so is considered a felony and can result in penalties. The Selective Service website says that these include:

In the event of a national emergency, the nation could call upon those registered to fill the ranks of the US Armed Forces through conscription, normally called a draft. In order for that to happen the first step would be a “draft authorization.” This would require “Congress to amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the President to induct personnel into the Armed Forces.”

Next the Selective Service system would be activated and all service personnel would be ordered to report for duty. “Reserve Force Officers, along with selected military retirees, begin to open Area Offices to accept registrant claims.”

Step three would be “the lottery” which is “a random drawing of birthdays and numbers, establishes the sequence in which individuals receive orders to report for induction.” The lottery would be “publicly attended, nationally televised and live-streamed.”

“The first to receive induction orders are those whose 20th birthday falls during the year of the lottery,” states the sequence of events for the Selective Service. If additional lotteries were needed the sequence would begin with those who during that year turn 21 and then go progressively higher in age until 25. Then a lottery for those turning 19 would be conducted and finally 18.5 year-olds.

Those called up would either provide personnel to the Department of Defense or, if authorized by the President and Congress, alternative service for conscientious objectors.

After each lottery, induction notices are issued with orders to report to a local Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Once a notice has been received, “registrants may now make claims if desired for a postponement, deferment or exemption.” At the MEPS, inductees will be given a physical, mental, and moral evaluation to determine whether they are fit for military service. Those that are will go into military service and those that aren’t will be sent home.

The first inductees must be delivered to the military within 193 days from the draft authorization due to the national emergency. You can check out the different classifications that would be put into effect if a draft were authorized on the Selective Service website.

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