What happens if you refuse the draft?

Refusing the draft (Selective Service) in the U.S. is a federal felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine, and results in loss of federal benefits like jobs, citizenship, and student aid; however, prosecutions are rare, but penalties are severe if caught, leading to significant long-term consequences for individuals who fail to register or respond when called.

Can you go to jail for refusing the draft?

Penalties for Failing to Register

If required to register, failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. Also, a person who knowingly counsels, aids, or abets another to fail to comply with the registration requirement is subject to the same penalties.

What happens if you refuse to enter the draft?

There are consequences if you fail to register with Selective Service. It is a federal felony, punishable by fines or a prison sentence. And you may not be eligible for federal jobs, citizenship, or state-funded student financial aid.

What exempts you from being drafted?

Exemptions from a U.S. military draft typically involve being physically or mentally unfit, holding specific government/religious roles (like clergy), being on active military duty, or being a non-immigrant on certain visas; however, most exemptions are temporary (like student deferments) or require specific claims (like conscientious objector status), and current U.S. law mandates registration for most men, with exemptions becoming relevant only if a draft is reinstated, requiring a genuine, documented claim. 

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

Can you just say no to being 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. 

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.

Can I get drafted if I have anxiety?

Current or a history of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, acute reactions to stress, and posttraumatic disorder are disqualifying conditions.

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.
 

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. 

How to avoid getting drafted to war?

Draft avoidance

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

Can felons be drafted?

No, felons generally cannot be drafted into the U.S. military, as felony convictions are typically disqualifying, but waivers can sometimes be granted for enlistment, though not usually for induction (the draft) due to moral character concerns, especially for serious offenses or if currently under parole/probation. While current inmates are ineligible, the possibility of being drafted with a felony record in a severe national crisis (like "all hell broke loose") is a hypothetical, but current regulations lean heavily against it. 

Has anyone been jailed for not registering for Selective Service?

Any violation of the law carries a potential penalty if one is convicted. As mentioned earlier, the government has prosecuted no one for violating Selective Service law since 1986, yet hundreds of thousands of US citizens have been penalized since that time.

What happened to people who refused the draft?

People who refused the draft faced serious federal penalties, including hefty fines (up to $250,000) and prison time (up to 5 years), loss of federal benefits (like student aid, federal jobs), and social stigma, though some were granted conscientious objector status or pardoned later, while others, like Muhammad Ali, faced conviction for defying induction, with outcomes varying by era, conflict, and individual actions like draft card burning or evasion. 

How many people fail to register for Selective Service?

Joan Lamb, a spokeswoman for the Selective Service, reported that about 800,000 of a total of 7,300,000 men eligible for the draft--almost 20 percent--have failed to register since the program was reinstated in 1980. Maximum penalties for non-registration include a five-year prison term, a $10,000 fine, or both.

What if I dodge the draft?

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. 

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.
 

Can you be drafted at 35?

While the current Selective Service System (SSS) in the U.S. focuses on men 18-25, yes, a 35-year-old could theoretically be drafted, as federal law (Title 10) makes men up to age 44 liable for conscription if Congress authorizes a draft and changes the SSS's operational age limits, though it's highly unlikely as current SSS priorities are younger registrants. 

How much do you have to weigh to be drafted?

Height: 58 – 80 in. Weight: 119 – 227 lb. If you enlist to become a Soldier and don't meet the physical requirements at MEPS, you may be eligible for the fitness track of a program called the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.

What mental illness can't be drafted?

Mental illnesses like psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety/PTSD/OCD, and most eating/conduct disorders typically disqualify you from the military draft/enlistment, but specific criteria depend on severity, treatment, and time since symptoms, with ADHD requiring no accommodations after age 14 and depression needing a significant period (e.g., 36 months) of stability without treatment or severe symptoms for potential waivers, though severe or psychotic issues are usually absolute blocks. 

What is the 4 F draft status?

A 4-F draft classification in the U.S. Selective Service System meant a registrant was not qualified for military service due to being unfit physically, mentally, or administratively, effectively disqualifying them from being drafted during periods like World War II. This classification was for individuals deemed medically or psychologically unable to serve, or who failed to meet moral standards, making them ineligible for military duty. 

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.

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 is most likely to get 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.