The Selective Service System requires all American males to sign up for conscription on their 18th birthday.
In the event of a conflict that requires more forces than the volunteer military can provide, Congress and the president can authorize a draft. Registered men between the ages of 18 and 25 can be called to service.
In his State of the Union address in January, President Obama promised to begin bringing troops home from Afghanistan in July.
“This year, we will work with nearly 50 countries to begin a transition to an Afghan lead. And this July, we will begin to bring our troops home,” Obama said.
NATO and the president have promised more training for Afghanistan’s security forces and aim for a 42 percent increase in their forces by October 2012.
Is the Selective Service System still necessary if we are bringing troops home?
