Overview
- The Selective Service submitted its implementation rule to the federal review office on March 30, and the proposal is now under OIRA review.
- Under the NDAA provision signed in December 2025, the agency plans to register most men ages 18 to 25 using existing federal records by December 2026.
- Officials stress the change does not revive conscription, since an active draft would still require new action by Congress and the president.
- Automatic enrollment aims to cut outreach costs and raise compliance after registration fell to 81% in 2024, with many states already tying sign-ups to driver’s license and ID applications.
- Coverage highlights privacy and timing concerns tied to the Iran conflict and recent White House comments, while women remain excluded from registration and any future draft would use a lottery that calls 20-year-olds first.