If the draft were ever instated by Congress, all men ages 18 to 25 who are citizens of the United States and the territories (except American Samoa) or immigrants (documented, undocumented, and refugees) living in the United States would be eligible. However, there are several reasons why someone might be disqualified from being drafted, including:

• Obesity: The Pentagon limits how many candidates from Category IV, the lowest category based on education and AFQT scores, the services can recruit. This means that if there is a draft, those recruits certainly wont make it into the Air Force or Coast Guard, the branches of service with the highest minimum ASVAB and education standards.

• Education: The military has minimum education standards, and those who do not meet them may be disqualified from being drafted.

• Criminal Records: Those with criminal records may be disqualified from being drafted.

• Health Problems: Certain medical conditions may disqualify someone from being drafted, such as chronic or recurrent esophagitis, hemorrhagic disorders, or cystitis.

• Drugs: Those with a history of drug use may be disqualified from being drafted.

• Conscientious Objection: Those who publicly oppose war of any kind for personal or religious reasons can permanently defer being drafted.

• Gender Identity: Those who were assigned female at birth but now identify as male or non-binary are exempted from being drafted.

• Age: Men who are not between the ages of 18 and 26 are exempt from selective service.

• Occupation: Those who have or are associated with any occupation that promotes national health, safety, or interest or is related to war promotion or in agriculture can defer their draft permanently. Ministers and elected and/or public officials are also exempted from being drafted.

Its important to note that just because someone is registered with the Selective Service System does not mean they will automatically have to serve in the military if a draft is reinstated. If someone has a physical or mental condition that keeps them from serving, that will be decided after they are drafted. Claiming conscientious objector status may also allow someone to serve as a medic or in other non-combat positions, or in extreme cases, not have to serve in the military at all.