FORT KNOX, Ky. –
Fraudulent messages about a purported military draft are once again circulating among members of the public.
The messages, which are similar to those circulated two years ago, have been sent to various members of the public over the past week. These messages are false and were not initiated by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
The decision to enact a draft is not made at or by the U.S. Army. The Selective Service System, a separate agency outside of the Department of Defense, is the organization that manages registration for the Selective Service.
In order to enact a draft, Congress would need to pass legislation authorizing it, and the resulting bill would then need to be signed by the president.
A draft has not been in effect since 1973, and the U.S. military remains an all-volunteer force. While all males aged 18 through 25 are still required to register for Selective Service, doing so does not enlist them in the military.
“While there is currently no draft, registration with the Selective Service System is the most publicly visible program during peacetime that ensures operational readiness in a fair and equitable manner,” according to a spokesperson of the agency. “If authorized by the President and Congress, our Agency would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors.”
Army recruiting operations are proceeding as normal in support of the all-volunteer force.