As the Iran war escalates, the possibility of a military draft becomes more real. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Selective Service registration to exemption categories, the lottery process, and what to expect if called.
As of March 2026, the draft has not been officially activated but White House officials have confirmed it's being actively discussed. Congress would need to authorize activation.
The Selective Service System registers males aged 18-25. In a draft, the lottery would select from this pool, starting with 20-year-olds and expanding outward.
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.