Who is eligible for the draft? Everything to know about the US proposed military plans

The Trump administration plans to automatically register eligible men for the military draft from December — streamlining the selection process if conscription were enforced for the first time in more than 50 years.The plan is for the Selective Service System (SSS) to register “every male citizen of the United States” between the ages of 18 and 25 to a list of those eligible to serve under a draft, rather than wait for them to self-register.Although the US hasn’t held a military draft since 1973, during the Vietnam War, the historic change comes as the possibility of a drawn-out conflict with Iran has fueled fears that one could be enforced.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters last month that such a draft is “not part of the current plan” — but Trump “wisely keeps his options on the table.”“There’s no greater priority or responsibility to this president than, of course, protecting the American people and protecting our troops,” she said.The change is eyed as a way of streamlining the current way eligible men have to register.Bringing back an actual draft would require Congress to amend the Military Selective Service Act to authorize the president to enlist civilians during a national emergency.All male US citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 are already required by federal law to register with the Selective Service System (SSS), which maintains the database of draft-eligible Americans.That includes male immigrants — including undocumented immigrants and refugees — as well as transgender people who were born male, dual citizens, US citizens abroad and those with disabilities, according to the agency’s website.Women are not eligible for selective service under the Military Selective Service Act, which currently only authorizes the registration of “male persons.”However, SSS said on its website it “is prepared to expand registration” if Congress were to pass new legislation, including women in mandatory s...