Secret Service System proposes change to military draft requirement registration

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Selective Service System is proposing a change to the registration of military requirements.

The agency is pushing for American men ages 18-26 to automatically register for a military draft.

The current system requires men in the same age group to register themselves through voluntary compliance. Failure to comply would be considered a felony.

This proposal gets rid of voluntary compliance and automatically registers eligible American men within 30 days of turning 18.

“I agree with it because back in the 60's and 70's, during my time, it was mandatory, and if you didn’t do it, you were under violation of federal law," said veteran Kyle Shaw.

“Of course, I had to sign up when I was 18 and it didn’t bother me any at all," said veteran Herschel Patterson.

Despite the potential for a felony, the Selective Service System stated that only 81% of men voluntarily complied in 2024 - a three percent decrease from the year before. Veterans believe letting the young men know the benefits of joining would raise the percentage.

“I don’t believe they’re getting the correct education they should get,” said Patterson.

“I think that the military is not getting out the word of what the benefits are,” Shaw added.

Although President Trump hasn’t made a formal statement on a draft happening in the future, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the possibility is on the table. For Shaw, whether the proposal is implemented or not, he doesn’t see a draft taking place anytime soon.

“I don’t see U.S. going into anything at the moment, at all," he said. "Not in the next 5-10 years.”

If implemented as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the proposal will take effect in December.