New law will automatically register young people for mandatory military service in the US

The United States government will implement an automatic registration system for mandatory military service starting in Decembera measure that seeks to simplify the registration process and reduce administrative costs, according to a proposal under review by federal authorities.

The change affects the majority of men between 18 and 25 years oldwho are currently required by law to register in the Selective Service System (SSS), but must do so individually.

With the new regulations, registration will be done automatically through federal databases, eliminating the need for self-registration.

The initiative is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026signed into law by President Donald Trump, and is undergoing final review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs before it takes effect.

A change to simplify the process and reduce costs

The Selective Service System (SSS), which is the government agency that maintains a frightful list of men who should be called to serve in the event of a national emergencysubmitted a proposed regulation to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on March 30, according to that office’s website.

Currently, men must register within 30 days of turning 18, with the possibility of registering late until age 26.. However, in recent years registration rates have decreased, in part due to the elimination of automatic mechanisms linked to procedures such as student loans.

With the new scheme, responsibility for registration will fall directly to the federal governmentwhich will integrate information from different agencies to complete the process without individual intervention.

Legislators who promoted the measure, such as Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, have indicated that the change will allow funds to be redirected towards military preparation and mobilization, instead of allocating them to information campaigns to encourage registration.

Without active mandatory service, but with current sanctions

The United States has not activated mandatory military service since 1973, during the Vietnam War, and since then the Armed Forces have operated with volunteer personnel. Nevertheless, Registration in the Selective Service System remains a requirement merely in the event that Congress authorizes a draft in a national emergency situation.

Although the president can raise the need for conscription, the implementation of a draft requires congressional approval to modify current legislation.

Failure to register in the system remains a federal crime. Penalties include fines of up to $250,000, prison terms of up to five years, and loss of access to benefits such as student financial aid.federal jobs and job training programs. In the case of immigrants, non-compliance can affect naturalization processes.

The regulations establish that men will be automatically registered within 30 days after turning 18 years old.. In contrast, women remain exempt from this obligation, despite the fact that in recent years some legislators have tried to include them in the system, without success in Congress.

The announcement occurs in an international context marked by tensions, including the recent conflict with Iran, which has revived public debate on the possibility of eventual military conscription, although the White House has indicated that it is not part of the current plans.

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