United States to Automatically Register Men Aged 18-25 for Military Draft by December 2026

The United States is set to begin automatically registering eligible men aged 18 to 25 into the Selective Service System by December 18, 2026.

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The change was codified in Section 535 of the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Donald Trump in December 2025.

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The Selective Service will rely on existing federal databases to compile its register without any action on the part of individuals.

Representative Chrissy Houlahan said the measure simply transfers the administrative burden of the individual to the government.

The Selective Service submitted an implementing regulation draft on March 30, 2026, for regulatory review.

There are currently no plans to reinstate an active military draft.

The United States has not had a draft since 1973.

Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat

President Jimmy Carter reinstated the Selective Service registration requirement in 1980.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said bringing back the draft is not part of the current plan right now.

Returning to an active draft would require Congress to amend the Military Selective Service Act.

Registration rates have declined in recent years.

In 2024, 81% of eligible men registered, down from 84% in 2023.

Currently, 46 states and territories have laws to automatically register eligible men when they apply for driver's licenses or IDs.

The Selective Service costs around $30,000 a year to operate.

Lawmakers said automatic registration will cut government red tape and save taxpayer money.

Women remain ineligible for the draft despite repeated legislative efforts.

A 2020 commission said including women would be a necessary and fair step.

Bergen Record

Lawmakers have attached provisions adding women to the draft in defense bills, but they have been scrapped.

The Military Selective Service Act only requires draft registration for men.

Women can enlist in active duty combat.