What is the oldest you can be and get drafted?

In the U.S., the draft age limit for mandatory Selective Service registration is for men aged 18-25, requiring them to register within 30 days of turning 18, though late registration is allowed until age 26. If a draft is reinstated, those turning 20 in the lottery year are called first, followed by men turning 21-25, and then 19 and 18, with eligibility ending at age 26.

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. 

What age can you no longer get drafted?

In the U.S., nearly all male citizens and immigrants aged 18-25 must register for Selective Service (the draft), with the age limit for potential conscription typically ending at 26, though those with deferments or specific situations might remain liable until 35. If a draft were reinstated, men turning 20 in the lottery year would be called first, then ages 21-25, and potentially younger men if needed, with physical/mental fitness exams determining actual eligibility. 

Can I be drafted if I'm over 25?

Yes, under current U.S. Selective Service rules, men aged 18-25 must register, and if a draft were enacted, you would typically be liable for service until your 26th birthday, with younger men (20-year-olds first) being called before older ones in the 18-25 bracket, though age limits can be extended in extreme national emergencies. 

Who cannot be drafted?

People who cannot be drafted generally include those who are medically or mentally unfit, already serving in the military, over the draft-eligible age (usually 26 in the US), certain non-citizens, approved {!nav}conscientious objectors, {/nav}or those with specific legal exemptions like sole surviving sons or essential workers. A draft would involve classification, where physical/mental health, age, and other factors (like having dependents or essential jobs) determine eligibility, with disqualifying conditions ranging from blindness to severe learning disorders. 

What is the oldest age to be drafted?

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.

Who gets drafted for war first?

The first men drafted would be those turning age 20 during the calendar year of the lottery.

How to avoid the draft?

To avoid being drafted, you can claim Conscientious Objector (C.O.) status, seek deferments for education or dependents, join the military in a non-combat role or reserves, get certain visas, or if all else fails, evade the draft, though this carries severe legal risks; however, the surest way is to advocate for abolishing the draft entirely, as the U.S. military is voluntary, but registration is still required. 

How old is the oldest person to get drafted?

Chris Weinke was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2001 draft. On the day he was drafted, the former Florida State passer was aged 28 years and 264 days. The reason Weinke was so old when he was drafted to the NFL was because he had initially been a top baseball prospect.

How likely is another draft?

A military draft in the U.S. is currently considered highly unlikely, as it would require new legislation from Congress and face massive political, social, and logistical hurdles, but it remains a possibility only in an extreme national emergency or existential threat that the all-volunteer force cannot meet. The military operates on an all-volunteer basis and has no current plans to reinstate conscription, with the Selective Service System serving as a backup for truly catastrophic events, not an imminent call-up.
 

Is the army desperate for recruits in 2025?

In fiscal year 2025, the military's recruiting efforts returned to levels not seen in more than a decade. "Since November 2024, our military has seen its highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years," stated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.

What happens if you refuse the draft?

Refusing the draft in the U.S. is a federal offense, leading to potential felony charges with fines up to $250,000 and/or five years in prison, plus loss of rights like voting or gun ownership; consequences also include ineligibility for federal jobs, student aid, and citizenship, though prosecution varies, with some choosing exile or fighting cases, while others slip through the system. 

Can the oldest son get drafted?

Is he exempt from registration and the draft? No. the “only son”, “the last son to carry the family name,” and ” sole surviving son” must register with Selective Service. These sons can be drafted.

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 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 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.

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.
 

At what age are men no longer drafted?

Men age out of the U.S. Selective Service draft liability at age 26, meaning they must register between 18 and 26, but liability for service ends once they turn 26, though exceptions exist for those with deferments or certain other statuses, who might remain liable until 35. If a draft were to occur, younger men (around 20) would be called first, with priority decreasing with age until the age of 26, when liability ends. 

What birthdays got drafted in 1969?

A lottery drawing – the first since 1942 – was held on December 1, 1969, at Selective Service National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This event determined the order of call for induction during calendar year 1970; that is, for registrants born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.

Can I get drafted if I'm the only boy?

Yes, an only son can be drafted in the U.S., as being the "only son" isn't an automatic exemption, but there's a specific "Sole Surviving Son" provision for deferment if a father, mother, brother, or sister died in military service, though this deferment may not apply during a congressionally declared war or national emergency. All young men must still register with the Selective Service System (sss.gov) (sss.gov) when they turn 18, regardless of family status, and the exemption requires a formal request after a service member's death. 

What is the Sullivan rule?

The "Sullivan rule" most commonly refers to the landmark 1964 Supreme Court decision, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, establishing that public officials suing for defamation must prove "actual malice"—that the statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth—to protect free speech and the press. It can also refer to New York's strict firearms permit law (the Sullivan Law) or, less commonly, principles for fair employment practices (Sullivan Principles) or military family assignment policies.