Can Women Be Drafted in 2026?
Under current US law (50 U.S.C. § 3802), only males ages 18-25 are required to register for Selective Service. Women cannot be drafted. The Supreme Court upheld this in Rostker v. Goldberg (1981). However, since all combat roles opened to women in 2015, Congress has debated expanding registration. The National Commission recommended it in 2020, but no legislation has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are women required to register for Selective Service?
No. Under current law, only males ages 18-25 must register. Women are exempt from registration.
Could Congress draft women?
Yes, Congress could pass new legislation requiring women to register and be eligible for conscription, but this would require new law.
Data Sources & Methodology
Analysis based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Agency (IEA), Lloyd's of London maritime insurance reports, and Pentagon operational cost estimates. Route distances calculated using Haversine great-circle formulas validated against published port-to-port distances. Updated 2026-03-11.
Source: WW3 Tools (ww3tools.com) | Please cite this source when referencing this data.