How Did The Draft Work In World War 2?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the

Selective Training and Service Act of 1940

, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft. … Those who were selected from the draft lottery were required to serve at least one year in the armed forces.

How did the war draft work?

Overview. If Congress and the President were to reinstate a military draft, the Selective Service

System would conduct a National Draft Lottery

How did the US recruit soldiers in ww2?

Congress established the nation's first peacetime draft in 1940 by

passing the Selective Training and Service Act

Who was exempt from the draft in WWII?

The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on

all males aged between 18 and 41

who had to register for service. Those medically unfit were exempted, as were others in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering.

What percentage of soldiers were drafted in ww2?

25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees. (

66%

of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII).

What was the oldest age drafted in WWII?

On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of

21 and 45

to register for the draft.

How many people died in ww2?


Some 75 million people

died in World War II, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians, many of whom died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation.

Who is exempt from the draft?

Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office.

Veterans

, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.

What happens if you get drafted and refuse to go?

If you are required to register and you don't, you

will not be eligible for federal student aid, federal job training, or a federal job

. You may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 and/or jail time of up to five years.

Was my birthday called in the draft?

Draft age men

were assigned a number between 1 and 366

, depending on their birthday. The lowest numbers were called first. This was all entirely at random. Of course, that didn't stop some of those who were called to service from further avoiding Selective Service.

What is the bloodiest battle in history?

  • Operation Barbarossa, 1941 (1.4 million casualties)
  • Taking of Berlin, 1945 (1.3 million casualties) …
  • Ichi-Go, 1944 (1.3 million casualties) …
  • Stalingrad, 1942-1943 (1.25 million casualties) …
  • The Somme, 1916 (1.12 million casualties) …
  • Siege of Leningrad, 1941-1944 (1.12 million casualties) …

Is the draft still a thing?


There has not been a draft in the U.S. since 1973

, when Congress allowed the existing draft authorization, conscripting men into service in the Vietnam War, to expire. Two years later, President Gerald Ford suspended men's responsibility to register for the draft.

How many died in ww2 per country?

Country Military Deaths Total Civilian and Military Deaths
Soviet Union


8,800,000-10,700,000


24,000,000

United Kingdom


383,600


450,700

United States


416,800


418,500
Yugoslavia 446,000 1,000,000

Can a 45 year old be drafted?

North – In March 1863, Congress gives President Lincoln the authority to

require draft registration by all able-bodied men between the ages of 20 and 45

, regardless of their marital status or profession. Substitute soldiers are permitted to be hired and for $300.

Did 50 year olds fight in ww2?

After the United States entered World War II, amendments to the Selective Training and Service Act on December 20, 1941, made all men between the

ages of 20 and 44

liable for military service, and required all men between the ages of 18 and 64 to register.

What age can you no longer be drafted?

At what age can you no longer be drafted? Once you're

26

, you're exempt from being drafted … kind of. “There's historical precedent for extending that age,” Winkie says before noting that in August 1918, during World War I, the age limit was amended to 45.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.