• Background: Mandatory military service mostly used during wartime, Iraq War creates fear of draft
• Recent Legislation: defeated bills to reinstate draft

Background

• The military draft is a policy of compulsory military service instated by Congress, usually during times of war. It has been implemented several times throughout the history of the U.S. and once during peacetime. Congress discontinued its conscription policy in 1973, and in 1980 reinstated the Selective Service registration requirement that can conscript all men between the ages of 18 and 25 if the volunteer army will not suffice during war or crises.
• The U.S. military campaign in Iraq has overwhelmed the capacity of the American armed forces while recruitment is at a low. These developments are provoking fear among some Americans of another military draft. The army has not indicated the need to return of the draft another and that the number of soldiers re-enlisting remains high. However, the number of captains and majors have fallen and the quality of new recruits is starting to drop. The Army is now accepting more high-school dropouts and those who would have been disqualified under previous standards for using drugs or having a criminal record. The age limit for recruitment has risen from 35 to 42 and fitness levels are lower.

Recent Legislation

• In 2003, Senators Ernest Hollings (D-SC) and Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) introduced legislation to reinstate general conscription that was later defeated. Rangel introduced similar bills in 2006 and 2007, both of which have been rejected.