In 1973, as the Vietnam War was winding down, the United States ended the military draft. Will there be another war in Iran, where the Pentagon is preparing to send ground troops?
At this point, that seems unlikely. Reviving the draft “is not part of our current plans at this time,” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said on Fox News on March 8, adding that President Donald Trump “keeps options on the table.”
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider, who has never served in the military, recently sparked curiosity about military conscription in a post on X on March 27th, calling for the reinstatement of compulsory military service and civil servant duties.
Although military conscription is not in effect, men between the ages of 18 and 25 are still legally required to register for the federal Selective Service System, according to Military.com. Conscription could be resumed if justified by a national emergency or major war.
Women can also participate in combat, but do not need to register.
In which countries is military conscription compulsory?
If you can’t see the graphic, click here to reload the page.
President Trump has not publicly commented on the possibility of returning to the draft plan for Iran.
“We must restore military conscription for our nation’s youth,” Schneider said in a post on X.
“All Americans are required to serve in the military for two years when they turn 18,” Schneider said. “They may also choose to spend some of that time volunteering their time abroad or at home.”
How many Americans were drafted?
Why did the draft end?
American men between the ages of 19 and 25 were eligible to serve in Vietnam. In January 1973, the United States announced the abolishment of conscription and a change to an all-volunteer military. The main problems with that movement are:
- Public opposition: During the Vietnam War, resistance to the draft intensified. In the 1970s, approximately 570,000 men were listed as “draft evaders,” making prosecution difficult. Approximately 8,750 people were convicted and 3,250 were jailed.
- Gates Committee: Richard Nixon ran for president in 1968 on the promise of ending the Vietnam War. He founded the Gates Commission in 1969 to study the feasibility of converting to a volunteer military. A 1970 European Commission report stated that the country “would be better off with an all-volunteer force supported by an effective standby conscription rather than a mixed volunteer and conscript force.”
The Department of the Army, officially known as the Department of Defense, said the all-volunteer force has proven superior to conscripts in terms of motivation, quality, retention and professionalism.
How many men were drafted during major wars?
How the draft itself ended:
- December 7, 1972: The final draft call will be made.
- January 27, 1973: Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird said the United States will now rely on volunteer troops and that this is the beginning of an all-volunteer force.
- June 30, 1973: The legal authority to recommend conscripts expires.
- April 1, 1975: Draft registration will be suspended.
- July 2, 1980: Draft registration will resume as a standby.
To return to a valid draft, Congress would need to amend the Selective Service Act.
Those eligible for the draft will be selected through a national draft lottery using their date of birth. According to Military.com, “The number 1 corresponds to January 1st through January 15th.” 20-year-old men will be the first age group selected.
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the president can authorize military action, but the law limits the deployment of troops for more than 90 days without a formal declaration of war. Only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution.
USA TODAY reported that military operations in Iran have not been authorized by Congress as an act of war. The war reportedly killed 13 Americans, at least 1,443 in Iran, about 400 in Lebanon and at least 20 in Israel.
Kinsey Crowley writes for USA TODAY
SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Reuters; US Selective Service. military.com
