Selective Service System in the United States

The Selective Service System provides manpower to the Armed Forces in an
emergency and operates an Alternative Service Program during a draft for men
classi?ed as conscientious objectors.

The Selective Service System was established by the Military Selective
Service Act (50 U.S.C. app. 451–471a). The act requires the registration of
male citizens of the United States and all other male persons who are in the
United States and who are ages 18 to 25.

The act exempts members of the active Armed Forces and nonimmigrant aliens.
Proclamation 4771 of July 20, 1980, requires male persons born on or after
January 1, 1960, and who have attained age 18 but have not attained age 26 to
register. Registration is conducted at post of?ces within the United States, at U.S. embassies and consulates outside the United States, and online at www.sss.gov.

The act imposes liability for training and service in the Armed Forces upon registrants who are ages 18 to 26, except those who are exempt or deferred.

Persons who have been deferred remain liable for training and service until age
35. Aliens are not liable for training and service until they have remained in
the United States for more than 1 year. Conscientious objectors who are found
to be opposed to all service in the Armed Forces are required to perform civilian
work in lieu of induction into the Armed Forces.

The authority to induct registrants, including doctors and allied medical
specialists, expired July 1, 1973.

For a complete listing of the regional of?ces of the Selective Service System,
visit www.sss.gov/regions.

For further information, contact the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Selective Service System, Arlington, VA 22209–2425. Phone, 703–605–4100. Internet, http://www.sss.gov.