Thekabarnews.com—The US will start automatically signing people up for the draft. This is a big change for individuals who are eligible to join the Selective Service System (SSS).

Under the new regulation, which will start in December 2026, most men between the ages of 18 and 25 will no longer have to register themselves. Instead, the Selective Service System will automatically register those who are eligible. It will do so by putting together information from federal sources.

Congress enacted the National Defense Authorization Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law in December 2025. The SSS officially sent in a draft rule on March 30 to bring the new method into effect. Regulators are currently reviewing it.

Officials argue that the new method will make it easier and faster to register. Additionally, officials believe that transferring accountability from individuals to the government will cut administrative costs. They also say it will make it more likely that people will respect the rules.

Under current federal law, practically all male US residents and male immigrants between the ages of 18 and 25 must register within 30 days of turning 18 or entering the US.

You could lose out on federal and state benefits, government positions, and even citizenship if you do not register. If you do not follow the regulations, you can have to pay penalties or go to jail.

The new policy does not modify who needs to register. Some groups are still not required to register, such as individuals who were in jail or the hospital for a long time during the eligible age range. Furthermore, people who were legally in the nation without a visa do not have to register. But men with disabilities still have to sign up, even if they can’t join the military.

There has not been a draft in the US since the Vietnam War. However, officials maintain the system is still in place in case of an emergency. In addition, Congress would still have to modify the laws that are already in place before the president could require military service.

If a draft were to happen again, the SSS would hold a lottery to select the first recruits. Moreover, the Department of Defense claims that the system must send the first wave of recruits within 193 days of gaining the green light.

Lawmakers who support the change believe that automated registration will help people get ready. Additionally, they believe it will reduce the funds previously allocated for outreach and compliance initiatives.

“Such a change will also allow us to rededicate resources—basically, money—towards readiness and mobilization rather than education and advertising campaigns driven to register people,” said Chrissy Houlahan, who sponsored the language of the amendment.

Officials said that people would still get registration notices and could contest them if they qualify for an exemption.

The policy updates an outdated system to align with current practices while maintaining the legal foundation for national defense readiness.

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