Abridged from source. 

Source in title.

[Opinion. Oh, yeah, I get it: The USA doesn’t have a draft, right? Guess again! However, Commander Bone Spurs has just realised how much more unpopular a new draft could make him look.

Let’s take a look at “automatic” registration collected from govt databases by DOGE and other agencies. However, is it really possible to track any individual down? We’re all pretty mobile. Selective Service is terminally broken.

Failure to register can result in refusal of driver’s licences, govt jobs, govt loans. Effecting a draft would be just the spark to bring any US govt to its knees.]

 

Why is the Selective Service war gaming a 'special skills' draft?

A military mobilization exercise offers clues about who might be drafted for what sort of conflict (hint: US-China)

Edward Hasbrouck

Responsible Statecraft: 8 Jul 2026

SOURCE: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/war-draft-selective-service/

Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request show that the Selective Service recently gamed out what a military draft would look like in a future war. It would not resemble the one the nation lived through 55 years ago for the Vietnam War or the contingency plans in current standby Selective Service regulations. Instead, those with “special skills” would be conscripted first.

This is the opposite of what the Selective Service says in its promotional materials, that “if a draft is authorized, individuals are selected through a random lottery” from among all young men regardless of their occupation or current skills.

According to the January 2026 military mobilization exercise, the first wave of draftees could include “computer network technicians, electronics technicians, aerospace engineers, divers, welders, gas turbine engine mechanics, electricians, heavy equipment operators, longshoremen, steel workers / pipefitters, radar / communications technicians, fiber optic technicians, mariners, aviation structural mechanics, cyber security specialists, robotics operators and technicians, air traffic controllers, logistics specialists, [and] linguists.”...

This is the opposite of what the Selective Service says in its promotional materials, that “if a draft is authorized, individuals are selected through a random lottery” from among all young men regardless of their occupation or current skills.The lottery has long been considered central to the fairness of a  draft. 

All of this comes as the SSS is preparing to replace the failed system of self-registration with an automated system (also likely to fail) under which the SSS will try to identify and locate potential draftees by using existing databases from other Federal agencies.

Meanwhile, the SSS has maintained radio silence since the “automatic” registration law was enacted, not issuing any statements or responding to any inquiries from journalists for more than six months....

If your young and skilled, expatriating to dodge the draft will be a lot easier.

A USA draft, never happen in our lifetime. Nobody is that stupid, to be forced to serve again, after Nam.

It would take someone invading the USA, and that also will never happen again.

17 hours ago, KhunLA said:

It would take someone invading the USA, and that also will never happen again.

How about someone who wants to invade Greenland and Canada?

17 hours ago, connda said:

If your young and skilled, expatriating to dodge the draft will be a lot easier.

If you are young, skilled and white, take one step back. Minorities, those with basic education and legal immigrants grab a rifle.

Will Selective Service (SS) allow LGBT and women in the draft?

Conscientious objectors can be drafted to fight but otherwise serve in the military in a non-combatant capacity or serve in the military in a non-combatant capacity. I don't see Secretary of WAR allowing draftees to evade direct military service:

Hegseth declared the military is "not defenders anymore. We are warriors, trained to kill the enemy and break their will," (my bold) https://www.facebook.com/afnhumphreys/posts/

The US would be a better place if all 18 year olds had to serve 2 years in the military, it would turn the kids into responsible adults.

But it will never happen, unfortunately.

22 minutes ago, Trippy said:

The US would be a better place if all 18 year olds had to serve 2 years in the military, it would turn the kids into responsible adults.

But it will never happen, unfortunately.

Military, and being controlled, told what, when and how to do anything and everything, no matter how counter productive, is not for everyone. Only thing it taught me was patience, as 'hurry up & wait' seems to be to be the bureactic way of doing everything & anything.

Not much different than the corporate world, and both seem designed for those that can't think for themselves, with few exceptions.

Draft topic is nonsense. That being said, at the third year of high school ( year 11) there should be counseling, to the student, "it's looking like":

-continue education your grades are good.

-consider trade schools, carpentry, electrician apprentice, plumbing, automotive, as your grades are medium level.

-apply to military options, Navy, Army, Marines, Coast guard as your grades are low and after 4 years (these kids are 18, out at 22) you'll have a trade, opportunities in the services, etc.

1 hour ago, Trippy said:

The US would be a better place if all 18 year olds had to serve 2 years in the military, it would turn the kids into responsible adults.

But it will never happen, unfortunately.

The US military is also a good place to turn young impressionable minds into MAGA mush. They even broadcast news on all the bases.

I’d suggest something like City Year for my young relatives instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Year

25 minutes ago, Front Row said:

The US military is also a good place to turn young impressionable minds into MAGA mush. They even broadcast Fox News on all the bases.

I’d suggest something like City Year for my young relatives instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Year

25 minutes ago, Front Row said:

Edited the above to add Fox. “They even broadcast Fox News on all the bases.”

1 hour ago, Priorexpat said:

Draft topic is nonsense. That being said, at the third year of high school ( year 11) there should be counseling, to the student, "it's looking like":

-continue education your grades are good.

-consider trade schools, carpentry, electrician apprentice, plumbing, automotive, as your grades are medium level.

-apply to military options, Navy, Army, Marines, Coast guard as your grades are low and after 4 years (these kids are 18, out at 22) you'll have a trade, opportunities in the services, etc.

When I was in High School, you got that option in 8th grade, for 9th & beyond ...

... continue in college prep courses

... continue in business prep (secretarial, clerical & accounting)

... continue in 'trade' education, auto, bricklaying, electical, cooking, horticulture, welding, etc.

Edited July 10Jul 10 by KhunLA

Imagine every man being drafted and taught how to kill. A wonderful idea. Don't even mention the discipline they will learn. When you decide to shoot people, having the discipline to carry it out is important. Following someone's order to kill.

It's all about learning how to kill.

Edited July 10Jul 10 by Purdey

17 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Imagine every man being drafted and taught how to kill. A wonderful idea. Don't even mention the discipline they will learn. When you decide to shoot people, having the discipline to carry it out is important. Following someone's order to kill.

It's all about learning how to kill.

They only teach you how to follow orders, and why the draft starts at a young age. Before most truly think for themselves and questions things.

Any idiot can pull a trigger, that's not a skill. Knowing why and accepting the consequences of, takes knowledge and thinking.

Many are too young to deal with the scars of war, and what they were exposed to and told to do.

Up to 22 veterans a day, everyday, were committing suicide, during and after they military service. That's a bit telling. From AI ...

Edited July 10Jul 10 by KhunLA

2 hours ago, 1duckyboy said:

If you are young, skilled and white, take one step back. Minorities, those with basic education and legal immigrants grab a rifle.

LoL I love those here that automatic racism. The truth is that yes a lot of kids that are poor sign up. But that's because it gets them out of the cycle and also can provide them with a career and skill.

The US had the draft it sort of worked but did not provide the high skilled people. Now militaries incl Canada are not looking for infantry but are looking for people with skills that are needed.

Imagine if the Thai military provided a little extra money and skill training. Infantryman are not as needed any more it's now cyber warfare.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Military, and being controlled, told what, when and how to do anything and everything, no matter how counter productive, is not for everyone. Only thing it taught me was patience, as 'hurry up & wait' seems to be to be the bureactic way of doing everything & anything.

Not much different than the corporate world, and both seem designed for those that can't think for themselves, with few exceptions.

Not completely true unless you are referring to the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Navy E-7 I was not "controlled" as long as I followed the basic rules and got positive results

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

How about someone who wants to invade Greenland and Canada?

WHich would u like done first ?

Most Canadians are in FL at the moment.

40 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

They only teach you how to follow orders, and why the draft starts at a young age. Before most truly think for themselves and questions things.

Any idiot can pull a trigger, that's not a skill. Knowing why and accepting the consequences of, takes knowledge and thinking.

Many are too young to deal with the scars of war, and what they were exposed to and told to do.

Up to 22 veterans a day, everyday, were committing suicide, during and after they military service. That's a bit telling. From AI ...

Yes, any idiot can pull a trigger, but knowing how and where to do it and survive is another thing.

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

A USA draft, never happen in our lifetime. Nobody is that stupid, to be forced to serve again, after Nam.

It would take someone invading the USA, and that also will never happen again.

Never say never but generally agree :) Most countries can't stomach what is needed to invade a country in this civilized world which is a good thing. America is struggling with Iran because it can't do what it did in Vietnam. Again, a good thing.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Up to 22 veterans a day, everyday, were committing suicide, during and after they military service. That's a bit telling. From AI ...

That is an interesting dynamic of military service. Socio-economics are a big factor but only account for half of the difference between the suicide rates of vets vs non vets. What is even more interesting IMO and is surprising is that the rate is actually lower when they are in the military and increases after they leave. For better or worse many people need structure and security.

Edited July 10Jul 10 by atpeace

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

When I was in High School, you got that option in 8th grade, for 9th & beyond ...

... continue in college prep courses

... continue in business prep (secretarial, clerical & accounting)

... continue in 'trade' education, auto, bricklaying, electical, cooking, horticulture, welding, etc.

But not: You're a loser. Join the Army, go to exotic places and kill people.

I forgot to mention that the structure of Selective Service doesn't exist anymore. No functioning draft boards. What community leaders would volunteer for the job?

43 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

But not: You're a loser. Join the Army, go to exotic places and kill people.

Tail end of Nam was still going on, and nobody was that stupid. I turned 18, on 23 Dec 72 ...

No numbers drawn for us born 1954. Brother had a low number 2 yrs prior, so he enlisted in AF. I actually enlisted a couple yrs later, after Nam ended, well, actually Saigon fell in 75.

what a non story

On 7/9/2026 at 7:19 PM, Trippy said:

The US would be a better place if all 18 year olds had to serve 2 years in the military, it would turn the kids into responsible adults.

But it will never happen, unfortunately.

For instance if the current President's family hadn't paid off a doctor to say he was unfit?

The country might be in a better place, had he done a couple years. But no.

3 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

For instance if the current President's family hadn't paid off a doctor to say he was unfit?

The country might be in a better place, had he done a couple years. But no.

The country might be in a better place if the last 3 Presidents had served in the military, Obama, Biden and Trump.

6 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

For instance if the current President's family hadn't paid off a doctor to say he was unfit?

The country might be in a better place, had he done a couple years. But no.

Nah, if he ran for Prez, power would have still gone to his head.

11 hours ago, Trippy said:

The country might be in a better place if the last 3 Presidents had served in the military, Obama, Biden and Trump.

But only one of those took the Israeli bait to start a war with Iran.

10 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

But only one of those took the Israeli bait to start a war with Iran.

Obama sure had his chance at unwinnable wars, too. I think some people just go power-mad. Killing Osama was unconscionable.