Millions of young American men will be automatically registered for the military draft by the end of 2026, marking the biggest shift to the system in more than half a century.

Under the new rules, the Selective Service System (SSS) will no longer rely on individuals to sign up. Instead, a federal database will automatically identify and enroll eligible men for potential military service. The changes represent the most significant update to the draft system since the Vietnam War era.

The overhaul was quietly set in motion last week, when the SSS submitted its updated draft procedures to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. It follows changes approved by Congress in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which removes the requirement for young men to actively register themselves.

New US military draft rules

In a statement outlining the shift, the agency said: “SSS will implement the change by December 2026, resulting in a streamlined registration process and corresponding workforce realignment.”

The new system will apply to all men between the ages of 18 and 25, the same group already required under federal law to register. Failing to register is a felony, punishable by fines of up to $250,000 or a prison sentence of up to five years. Officials argue that automating the process will eliminate noncompliance and improve efficiency.

“This will also allow us to rededicate resources”

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who supported the measure, said the reform would allow resources to be redirected where they are most needed.

“This will also allow us to rededicate resources – basically that means money – towards [readiness] and towards mobilization … rather than towards education and advertising campaigns driven to register people,” she said, according to UNILAD.

While the system applies broadly to male U.S. citizens and men seeking citizenship, women are still not included, despite multiple legislative efforts to expand eligibility.

Who are exempt?

Some exemptions remain in place. Men who are housebound due to disability are not required to register, while others with disabilities must still be included. Students may qualify for temporary deferments until the end of their academic term.

If a draft is ever reinstated, the process would begin with 20-year-olds, selected through a lottery system. The draft would then expand to older age groups up to 25 before including 18- and 19-year-olds.

Even then, those selected would still need to pass physical and mental evaluations before being approved for military service.