The United States is preparing to introduce a major change to its military system, with plans to automatically register eligible men for the draft starting later this year.
Under the new rule, men aged 18 to 25 will no longer need to sign up themselves. Instead, the Selective Service System will use government data to enroll them automatically.
This update is part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, a key piece of legislation that funds military operations and outlines defense priorities.
Currently, registration has already been required by law for most men in that age group, but compliance has dropped in recent years. Officials say the new system is designed to simplify the process and improve accuracy.
Despite growing concerns online, officials stress that there is no active military draft in place. The US has not used a draft since the Vietnam War era, and any future draft would still require approval from Congress.
The automatic system is expected to begin by December 2026, marking one of the biggest changes to the draft registration process in decades.
Some experts say the move reflects a desire to stay prepared amid rising global tensions, even as leaders insist there are no immediate plans to force conscription.
For now, the change mainly affects how people are registered, not whether they will be called to serve.
