SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Young American men will soon be automatically registered for the military draft pool starting in December. The new change in favor of automatic registration was approved by congress in December as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

The Selective Service System, also known as SSS, will automatically register eligible American men between ages 18 and 25 for a U.S. military draft by the end of 2026. SSS would shift responsibility for registration from individual men to the agency.

Right now, most men once they reach the age of 18 are required to register on their own. Failing to do so is a crime and can carry up to five years in federal prison, though prosecutions are rare. Not registering can also mean losing eligibility for federal student aid and some federal jobs.

Non-citizens who don’t register may also be denied U.S. citizenship.

Western Mass News spoke with retired veteran officer and retired professor at American International College, Gary Lefort. He explained this new policy makes it more efficient for the government, and for young men who may not know what’s required, “this way it’s an automated system that no longer requires the amount of surveillance that we probably had in the past and avoids people getting into trouble simply because they didn’t know.”

The last U.S. military draft took place in 1973 after years of massive public opposition during the Vietnam War.

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