Can you be forced to get drafted?

Yes, registering with the Selective Service System (SSS) is mandatory for most men in the U.S. (citizens and immigrants) aged 18-25, but military service itself is voluntary; the registration creates a list for a potential draft in a national emergency, as current military service is an all-volunteer force. Failure to register can block access to federal benefits, and a new law starting in late 2026 will automate registration via other databases.


Can you be forced to be drafted?

Getting called for duty

The United States has not had a draft since 1973. Congress and the president would have to authorize a draft. In the case of a national emergency, the Selective Service will follow this process to draft eligible young men. Get more tips to help with the new responsibilities of adulthood.

What happens if I refuse to get drafted?

If you're drafted and refuse to go in the U.S., it's a federal felony with severe penalties, including up to 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, plus loss of rights like voting and federal jobs; while some might evade capture or get postponements, the legal consequences for refusing induction after being called are significant, unlike in sports where you might re-enter the draft. 


Can you be forced to go to war in the USA?

In the United States, military conscription, commonly known as "the draft", has been employed by the U.S. federal government in six conflicts: the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Can a US draft be avoided legally?

Postponements. The following instances are eligible for postponement in the event of a military draft: High school students, until he graduates or reaches age 20, whichever occurs first. College students, until the end of the semester or, if a senior, until the end of that academic year.


What Happens to YOU If US Restarts the Draft



What disqualifies you from a draft?

Draft disqualifications generally fall into medical/physical (severe conditions, mental health issues like psychosis/severe ADHD/eating disorders, substance abuse) and legal/status categories (non-citizens, certain criminal records, conscientious objectors, ministers, sole surviving sons in wartime). While specific rules evolve, grounds for exemption or waiver include severe impairments, sincere religious/ethical objections (conscientious objector status), or specific legal statuses like student deferments or sole surviving son exemptions.
 

Who will be drafted if WW3 starts?

“The first to receive induction orders are those whose 20th birthday falls during the year of the lottery,” states the sequence of events for the Selective Service. If additional lotteries were needed the sequence would begin with those who during that year turn 21 and then go progressively higher in age until 25.

How do I get out of a draft?

By adhering to the law
  1. Claiming conscientious objector status on the basis of sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs.
  2. Claiming a student deferment, when one is in school primarily in order to study and learn.
  3. Claiming a medical or psychological problem, if the purported health issue is genuine and serious.


Do they give you $10,000 if you join the army?

You could earn up to $10,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment for certain in-demand jobs. This bonus can be combined with other enlistment bonuses to earn up to $50,000.

Can I say no if I get drafted?

Yes, you can refuse to be drafted in the U.S., but it carries significant legal risks, though options exist for conscientious objection (religious/moral grounds) or potentially avoiding prosecution by exploiting system inefficiencies, but showing up and claiming CO status is the legal route, while refusing induction (not showing) can lead to prosecution. 

What age get drafted first?

If the U.S. military draft were reinstated, the first age group drafted would be men turning 20 years old in the year the lottery is held, followed by those turning 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, then 19, and finally 18, based on a lottery system that prioritizes birthdates and sequence numbers. All men aged 18-25 must register with the Selective Service System, but only those turning 20 would be called first if needed.
 


How long are you in jail if you avoid the draft?

Failing to register for the draft or join the military as directed is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison term of up to five years, or a combination of both.

Who will be drafted first for war?

Almost immediately, the first induction notices are prepared and sent via the U.S. Postal Service to men whose birth dates drew the lowest lottery numbers, starting with sequence number 1. The number of sequence numbers called for induction processing is based on the quota for personnel given by the Department of War.

Will there be a draft in 2026?

Yes, there will absolutely be an NFL Draft in 2026, scheduled for April 23-25 (or 26) in Pittsburgh, focusing on college players, but there are also discussions around automatic military draft registration for young men stemming from recent defense legislation, adding another layer to "the draft" in 2026. 


At what point can you not be drafted?

You are generally no longer eligible for the U.S. military draft once you turn 26, as this is the age when Selective Service registration ends, making men over this age exempt from current draft requirements, though historical precedents and extreme circumstances could alter this, and failure to register by 26 can block federal benefits. 

Is the military actually getting $1776?

President Donald J. Trump announced last night that nearly 1.5 million service members would receive a $1,776 bonus to both thank them for their military service and to commemorate the 250 years the U.S. military has been defending the nation.

What is the $40,000 signing bonus for the military?

ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE BONUSES

The U.S. Air Force has added new opportunities for qualified future Airmen to receive bonuses up to $40k upon entering active-duty service. All Air Force bonuses are earned upon completion of training and a six-year commitment.


Can you join the Army with tattoos?

Yes, you can join the Army with tattoos, as policies have become more lenient, allowing tattoos on arms, legs, hands (with limits), neck (small), and behind ears (small), as long as the content isn't extremist, racist, sexist, or offensive. Face and head tattoos are still generally banned, but exceptions for limited hand/neck/ear tattoos are possible through waivers, requiring photos and justification to your recruiter, who guides you through the waiver process.
 

Who doesn't get drafted to war?

In a U.S. military draft, people who can't be drafted include those with serious physical or mental health conditions, some ministers/clergy, certain elected officials, active-duty service members, non-immigrant visa holders, and potentially sole surviving sons or those in long-term institutional care, though exemptions are complex and generally require proof of eligibility through the Selective Service System. Medical issues like severe disabilities, certain learning disorders (ADHD, autism), psychosis, or ongoing substance abuse are disqualifying, as are some legal statuses and specific life circumstances. 

What disqualifies you from the draft?

Draft disqualifications cover serious medical/mental issues (psychosis, severe ADHD/learning disorders, chronic conditions like asthma/diabetes needing meds, substance abuse), criminal history (felonies, multiple DUIs), and certain life circumstances (ministers, some immigrants, sole support for family), with many medical/mental conditions potentially waived if resolved, while legal issues are often stricter but may have time-based waivers. 


Can you decline your draft pick?

No, a player can't outright refuse being drafted in major sports like the NFL, as it's the mandatory pathway to the league, but they can refuse to sign a contract with the drafting team, which often leads to a trade or forces the player to wait a year to re-enter the draft or play elsewhere (like the CFL), essentially achieving a similar outcome by leveraging their future eligibility or other league options. Famous examples include John Elway and Eli Manning, who made it clear they wouldn't play for the teams that drafted them, leading to trades. 

Who is the no. 1 powerful country?

Top 10 Most Powerful Countries In The World 2025
  • United States. The U.S. continues to dominate as the world's most powerful military. ...
  • Russia. ...
  • China. ...
  • India. ...
  • South Korea. ...
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • France. ...
  • Japan.


Who will be on America's side in WW3?

United States and its Allies. The U.S. is central due to its superpower status and global military reach. Likely allies include NATO members, especially those in Europe close to Russia, and Asia-Pacific partners like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.


What age group will be drafted?

In the U.S., almost all men aged 18-25 must register with the Selective Service System (the draft) for potential conscription, with the first called in a lottery being those turning 20, followed by older ages up to 25, and younger up to 18, though no draft is currently active. This registration applies to U.S. citizens and most male immigrants, with failure to register impacting federal benefits.