The Selective Service System is an independent federal agency that has been a distinguished part of America’s history for over a century, spanning eras of conflict and peacetime.
We are part of America’s National Defense Strategy, fostering deterrence through innovation, advancing diversity in leadership, and supporting the Department of Defense’s priority to maintain a formidable end-strength that provides America’s all-volunteer force with the overmatch necessary to deter, compete and win in the future.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission:To register men and maintain a system that, when authorized by the President and Congress, rapidly provides personnel in a fair and equitable manner while managing an alternative-service program for conscientious objectors.
Vision:To be a trusted, actively engaged national defense partner and the sole source of conscripted talent for national security in the event of a national emergency.
Strategic Vision Elements
Readiness: As a readiness organization, we deliver on the promise of a national strategic capability to the Nation. We remain ready for immediate mobilization and transition to full operations in support of a national draft lottery if directed to do so by the President and Congress.
Registration: High registration rates across the nation serve as the foundation of fairness and equity for full operations, better ensuring that a national draft lottery has the highest level of participation possible.
Management excellence: By upholding high standards of Management Excellence, we are able to consistently provide the full spectrum of functional and programmatic support to Agency operations.
Quick Figures
Registration Compliance (CY 2023)
Men, ages, 18 to 25, are required to register with Selective Service.
According to 2023 data:
The National Registration Rate is 84 percent
More than 15 million men registered with Selective Service nationwide
The legislation under which this agency operates is the Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq. (formerly 50 U.S.C. App 451 et seq.). “The Selective Service system shall be maintained as an active standby organization… .”
Every man who is registered with the Selective Service System will receive a registration acknowledgement letter with a registration card in the mail from Selective Service within 90 days of registering. This is proof of your registration and can be used when applying for: state-based aid in 31 states. federal jobs.
registration is required by law as the first part of a fair and equitable system that, if authorized by the President and Congress, would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program
Alternative Service Program
The Director of Selective Service has established the Alternative Service Program (ASP) to manage those granted Conscientious Objector to all military service. All Conscientious Objectors are assigned civilian work for a period of 24 months, the same amount of time prescribed to those who are conscripted.
By registering all eligible men, Selective Service ensures a fair and equitable draft, if ever required. Exemptions and deferments apply only in the event of a draft.
Failure to register is a felony and non-registrants may be denied the following benefits for life: State-based student loans and grant programs in 31 states. Federal job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly Workforce Investment Act) Federal (and many state and local) jobs.
Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. It's important to know that even though he is registered, a man will not automatically be inducted into the military.
He must register to be eligible for state-funded student financial aid in many states, most federal employment, some state employment, security clearance for contractors, job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act), and U.S. citizenship for immigrant ...
States with automatic DLL process a man's application for a state learner's permit, driver's license or renewal, or I.D. card as consent to have his information automatically transferred to Selective Service for registration if he is between the ages of 18-25.
Every man who is registered with the Selective Service System will receive a registration acknowledgement letter with a registration card in the mail from Selective Service within 90 days of registering. This is proof of your registration and can be used when applying for: state-based aid in 31 states. federal jobs.
USCIS will deny a naturalization application when the applicant refuses to register with Selective Service or has knowingly and willfully failed to register during the statutory period.
Men born before 1960 are not required to be registered with Selective Service to be eligible for federal job training (WIA), and federal jobs, including the U.S. Postal Service.
Today, men are required to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday through our website or at U.S. post offices or diplomatic offices. The United States of America is protected by our all-volunteer military. There is no conscription at this time.
Selective Service regulations previously required each registrant to have his card in his possession at all times. This requirement was removed from the regulations in late 1974, shortly before registration was suspended, and it has not been re-instituted.
If you get a draft notice, show up, and refuse induction, you'll probably be prosecuted. However, some people will slip through the cracks in the system, and some will win in court. If you show up and take the physical, there's a good chance that you'll flunk.
If you registered for the Selective Service with your Social Security number, you can verify your registration online at https://www.sss.gov/ verify/. You will need to provide your last name, Social Security Number, and date of birth.
Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office. Veterans, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. military service depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.
Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
