Is there any kind of mandatory military service in America?
At several points in its history, the United States has imposed a mandatory military service, known as conscription or “the draft.” During World War II, more than 10 million men were drafted into the armed forces. Another 1.8 million were drafted during the Vietnam War.
The draft has a tumultuous history in the United States. At the height of the Civil War, riots broke out across the North after President Lincoln called for 300,000 additional troops. From July 11 - 13, 1863, the New York Draft Riots reduced the city to chaos, as a mob of some 50,000 roamed the streets. During the Vietnam era (1961 - 1973), the draft met with much resistance, with many young men burning their draft cards or crossing into Canada to avoid service.
The draft was abolished in 1973; since then, the U.S. armed forces have been “all-volunteer.” However, most young men aged 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System, which collects names in case the draft ever needs to be reinstated. But it’s unlikely that will happen: A recent bill in Congress to reinstitute mandatory service was defeated by a vote of 402 - 2.