US military draft rules explained as strikes on Iran spark WW3 fears
The US Selective Service System is something you'll have heard of if you're over 18
The beginning of 2026 has started with the rumblings of a world war, with the US and Israel teaming up to attack Iran – leading to fears that US citizens will be drafted to fight.
War and conflict have always been part of our patriarchal system, which has seen two world wars so far, and thousands of individual wars over the years.
Even now, there are more wars happening outside of Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and Palestine.
There’s Sudan’s civil war, Africa’s conflict, Afghanistan and more.
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But the biggest right now is the major war on Iran, which has seen hundreds of people die, even more get injured, and numerous countries brought into the fold just by being associated with the United States.
Because the US being such a major player in this, it’s only natural that some would worry about conscription. But there are some rules for who get drafted into a war like this.
What’s happening between the US and Iran?
The US and Israel rained missiles on Tehran, Iran’s capital, and other locations on February 28, sparking an intense and on-going conflict in the region.
In the initial conflict, the US' 'Operation Epic Fury' was able to succeed in killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his residence in Tehran.
Khamenei had been the leader of Iran for over three decades.
Shocking satellite photos have now been released, showing a before and after view of his home.
Iran reported 555 deaths, 180 of those reportedly coming from a girl’s elementary school. It then retaliated.
Iran decided to aim for US bases in the Middle East, targeting its neighboring countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Dubai, Oman, Israel, Qatar and more.
As part of its retaliation for his death, Iran’s latest target was the US embassy in Riyadh, leading to Donald Trump to warn that everyone will 'find out soon' as to what the States will do next.
How many US soldiers are involved in the conflict?
After attacking US sites, six servicemen have been confirmed as having died in the conflict.
According to the Council for Foreign Relations, there are approximately 40,000 military personnel in the Middle East working in the US armed forces.
This includes those on navy ships, as well as on the ground and in US bases.
In total, there were 449,344 active members of the US armed forces in 2023, per Statista.
But now that Trump has warned that Iran will see even more responses, it could increase.
In that case, there could be a nationwide draft.
Who can be drafted to fight for the US?
The Selective Service System, aka the military draft or conscription, requires all 'male persons’ in the US – both citizens and immigrants – between the ages of 18 through to 25, to register for the draft via the government.
This law means that men within this category must register online within 30 days of turning 18.
But there are those who are exempt, such as those on active duty, disabled persons and incarcerated individuals.
Conscientious objectors (someone who objects to war due to moral or religious beliefs) still need to register.
As do those who were in active duty and were discharged before their 26th birthday.
If you choose not to, it’s considered to be a felony, and you could get into a lot of trouble.
However, nobody has been prosecuted for refusing to sign up in quite some time.
But past 26, if a person has failed to register for the Service System, then they are no longer required to do so.
When it comes to being drafted when the time comes, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go to war but could end up helping in other ways – such as in the kitchen, cleaning, or whatever else the army needs of you.
If you’re a woman, the draft law only states ‘male persons’ are required to sign up, and you are not permitted to do so, per Military.com.
Topics: Iran, US News, Politics, Donald Trump, Israel
Britt Jones