The Major League Rules govern which players are eligible for selection in the Draft. Every year there are many people who worry that they will be drafted into the U.S. Military. At that time the age priority may be juggled so as to focus draft calls among the 19-year-old group. If you are 31 or older, no SIL is required. Letter for Men 31 or Older The federal law that can be manipulated in a case by case basis states that the minimum age for enlistment in the United States military is 17 (with parental consent) and 18 (without parental consent). Every branch of the military has age limits, from the Coast Guard to the National Guard, and most of them come to a halt before age 35. 5. Adding to what has been offered previously- Prior to the lottery system, you were in the pool from ages 18–26, unless you obtained a deferment. You only need a Status Information Letter (SIL) if you did not register and are between the age of 26 and 31. The supplemental draft is for those whose eligibility has changed since the draft. Normally, military recruiters prepare and forward age waiver requests, with a yes-or-no recommendation for prospective recruits exceeding enlistment or commissioning age limits. My dad was drafted in 1942 at 31 years old. Selective Service exempts you from a draft if you are 26 years old. At age 18-1/2 to 26 (or 35 if once deferred) you can… — Enlist in the Reserve for 6 years, serving the first six months on active-duty training and being deferred from the draft as long as you participate satisfactorily in the Ready Reserve up to a total of 5-1/2 years. Apply for the supplemental draft in July, if you do not earn a spot. Learn More. Although the draft of many on men and women and is highly improbable, there are still many of those who worry that they will be drafted into the military. My last draft card listed me as 4Y, too old for the draft when I hit 26. The President has the authority to conduct several different "drafts". These answers are technically true, however they don't account for all drafts, only the big ones. The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent agency of the United States government that maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription (i.e. Though you technically can join the military up to age 42, if you're 35 or over you'll need an age waiver if you've never been in the military before. Speak to a recruiter of the branch you're interested in for the most up-to-date guidelines and hidden loopholes, as rules change all the time. This is based on age and, more specifically, birth date. During the draft, you can also network with personnel and negotiate for a spot on a team's training roster. Within the 18 to 25 year old age group, the Selective Service maintains a certain order in which eligible draftees will be called. There is no draft now. 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