What Does it Mean to Be Drafted?
When someone is drafted, also called being conscripted, they've been selected for compulsory military service by their government. Although the United States stopped using the draft in 1973, the Selective Service exists to conduct a draft in a major emergency.
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History
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Some form of obligatory military service has existed since ancient times in societies such as feudal Japan, medieval Europe, the Aztec Empire and ancient Rome. Modern conscription began when the Convention of the French Republic drafted about 300,000 men. The first U.S. draft occurred during the Civil War and was used in every major war that followed, including both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Demise
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The unpopularity of the Vietnam War brought about the demise of the draft in 1973, and the U.S military has been staffed entirely by volunteers ever since. In 1980, however, the U.S Congress reinstated the Selective Service in case of a major emergency.
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Selective Service
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In an emergency, the U.S Selective Service would provide manpower to the U.S military by conducting a draft. Men classified as conscientious objectors would be selected for a alternative service program, such as working in a military hospital. U.S law requires almost all male residents 18 to 25 to register with the Selective Service.
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