First American citizens that would be drafted if US went to war as WW3 fears erupt
Public fears over a potential third World War are continuing to grow as tensions between global powers worsen.
This comes after President Donald Trump announced that the US had attacked Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolás Maduro.
Concerns have been raised that this could lead to further conflict, with many questioning how a draft would legally work.
This is because if the US enters into a global war, it might need to call on more citizens to fight than serve in the US army currently.
How would drafting work in the US?
While there hasn’t been a draft in the US since 1973, all men in the country are required to register for Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18.
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This includes US citizens and male immigrants, but does not currently include women.
Failure to sign up is considered a felony and can result in a $250,000 fine and five years in prison as well as other punishments such as becoming ineligible for student loans, federal jobs and a delay in citizen proceedings for immigrants.
On the government website, it says: “When you register with the Selective Service System, you're helping ensure a secure future for your community and the United States of America.
“Federal law requires nearly all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants to register at age 18. The agency permits males up to age 25 to complete their registration with Selective Service System.
“In a national emergency, Selective Service System will use the registry to provide personnel to the Department of War and alternative service for conscientious objectors, if authorized by the President and Congress.”
If a draft is needed then Congress will need to amend the Military Selective Service Act, with all service personnel being ordered to report for duty.
If more people are needed to serve then a lottery system will follow drawing randomly ‘birthdays and numbers’ in order to draft more people.
According to the Selective Service: “The first to receive induction orders are those whose 20th birthday falls during the year of the lottery.”
If more people are needed then it would be extended to include those who turn 21 that year and progress from there until 25.
Afterwards, a lottery would be conducted for 19 year olds and then 18.5 year olds.
Of course, there will be exemptions to the draft which include things like disability, people with dependents, and essential job roles.