Can You Be Drafted from College?

I'm sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but I'm really not sure how the draft works. Suppose, hypothetically, I'm attending college. Is it possible for me to be drafted into the military? Would they pull me out of university to serve?

While the possibility of being drafted while attending college might seem unsettling, it's important to note that mandatory military drafts have not been used in the United States since 1973, having been replaced by an all-volunteer military force. The Selective Service System, however, has been maintained as a contingency plan.

Now, hypothetically speaking, if there were a draft, the rules could change, but based on historical practices, college students might receive a deferment. During the Vietnam War, college students were initially allowed deferments, essentially a postponement of service, for as long as they were enrolled in college. The rules changed partway through the war, and students could only defer until the end of the current semester (or, if it was their senior year, until the end of the school year).

Keep in mind, these situations were quite different and don't necessarily dictate how things would be handled today. In a modern context, the specifics would likely depend heavily on the reason for the draft and the manpower needed.

A thing to remember, it is important for all U.S. male citizens (and male immigrants living in the U.S.), regardless of where they are studying, to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday; failure to do so can result in some hefty penalties. This doesn't enroll you in the military but simply adds you to the list of eligible candidates should a draft be implemented. But again, the chances of a draft being implemented today are currently incredibly low.

In sum, while theoretically possible, the likelihood of being pulled out of college in general due to a draft is quite small, given the current state of the U.S. military and draft system.