Is it true that enlisting waives selective service requirements?

I'm thinking of enlisting in the military, but I've heard that doing so could waive the requirements for selective service registration. Is this true, and how does it work?

Enlisting in the military does not waive the requirement for registering with the Selective Service. All male U.S. citizens and immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, are required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. This requirement still holds even if you enlist in the military. However, once you're in the military, you're considered covered by the Selective Service since you’re already serving.

Here's the interesting part: while you're actively serving, you're technically exempt from the Selective Service but only for the period of your active duty. The Selective Service System would not draft men who are already serving in the military. Now, if you were discharged before your 26th birthday, you would still be required to register within 30 days of your discharge from the active service.

In sum, if your active duty brings you past the age of 26, you would essentially bypass the Selective Service registration because you're already serving. If you leave the military before turning 26, don't forget to register with Selective Service! It's a civic duty, and failing to register can have quite far-reaching consequences, including being barred from federal job opportunities and student financial aid.