The United States is set to automatically register men aged 18 to 25 for military draft eligibility, replacing a decades-old system that required individuals to sign up themselves, according to government plans and recent reports.
The change, expected to take effect by December 2026, was approved as part of the National Defense Authorization Act signed into law in late 2025. Under the new system, the Selective Service System will use federal databases to enroll eligible men automatically, aiming to improve compliance and reduce administrative costs.
Officials stress that the move does not mean a military draft is being reinstated. The U.S. has not used conscription since 1973, and any future draft would still require approval from Congress.
However, the policy has sparked debate, with critics raising concerns about privacy and the possibility that it could make it easier to activate a draft during future conflicts, particularly amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
