If World War 3 were to break out, the U.S. would have the power to reinstate the draft. While U.S law requires all male citizens and male immigrants to register for the Selective Service when they turn 18, there are a few exceptions as to when citizens aren’t required to be drafted. Let’s take a look.
No one wants a World War 3. Still, today, as the U.S has entered into a military conflict with Iran, with other countries such as China and Russia standing firm on Iran’s side, many people in the United States are worried about the possibility of a war, and before that, a military draft.
Because of this, rumors have spread online that young people could soon be forced to join the military. But what would actually happen if a draft were introduced?
To begin with, the United States does not currently have an active military draft. The last time people were forced to join the armed forces was during the Vietnam War in the 1970s. Since then, the U.S military has been made up of volunteers.
Even though there is no draft right now, the system still exists. If the country faced a serious national emergency or major war, the government could bring it back.
U.S military draft
U.S law requires all male citizens and male immigrants to register for the Selective Service when they turn 18. It actually doesn’t matter whether you are a U.S citizen or not, which means undocumented immigrants also have to go through with it. This applies to men aged 18 to 25. Registering means their name could be used if a draft ever happens.
The question ‘Are undocumented males required to register?’ appears in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of the Selective Service System (SSS) website.
It reads: “Yes. All undocumented males 18 through 25 years of age, other than those admitted on non-immigrant visas, must register, whether or not they have a green card.”
Those who choose not to sign up for the Selective Service could face legal trouble. According to the Selective Service System website, individuals who don’t register may face consequences.
They could be fined up to $250,000 and/or five years in prison, be ineligible for state-based student loans and grants in 31 states, be ineligible for federal job training programs, disqualified from many federal jobs, including some state and local, or, for immigrants, get up to a five-year delay in U.S citizenship proceedings.
Exceptions from being drafted
However, some people are not required to register. For example, men visiting the country with certain visas—such as tourist or student visas—do not have to register.
Even if someone registers, it does not always mean they will be drafted. Certain people may qualify for exemptions, for example, if you’re a member of the clergy or if you’re a male student preparing to take on a ministry.
Moreover, certain family situations, such as having a sole surviving son, may also exempt a person from the draft. People who are already serving in the military are, of course, not drafted either.
For now, there are no official plans to start a draft in the United States. Still, because the registration system already exists, the government could activate it in the future if the country needed more soldiers. For many Americans, the situation is a reminder that, even though the draft has not been used for decades, the system remains in place.
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