The U.S. government is advancing efforts to launch automated draft registration before December this year. According to proposed rules submitted by the U.S. Selective Service System to the White House Office of Management and Budget, eligible males in the future will no longer primarily rely on self-registration; instead, the government will automatically enroll them into the draft database by integrating federal data sources. This adjustment stems from the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, with officials stating the move aims to streamline processes and reduce costs. The rule is currently under review and has not yet been finalized. Since 1973, the U.S. has operated under a volunteer military system and has not actually activated conscription. However, in 1980, the Carter administration reinstated the selective service registration system as a contingency measure for potential "national emergencies." Reports indicate that Trump personally cannot restore conscription through executive order alone—Congress must amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the president to call up personnel. Nevertheless, failure to register as required remains a crime, potentially resulting in loss of eligibility for certain state-level scholarships, federal employment, and vocational training opportunities, as well as fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861972497259593/
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