Draftees

A draftee is an individual who has been selected for compulsory military service under a country’s system of conscription. Draftees are obligated to serve for a defined period in the armed forces, after which they may enter the reserve or return to civilian life.

In many countries, the draft process begins with registration and eligibility screening. Selection can be by age-based eligibility, a lottery, or assignment by need. Draftees often undergo medical examinations to determine fitness. They may receive deferments for education, essential occupations, or family reasons; classifications (for example, 1-A, 1-C) indicate the status of a prospective service member.

During service, draftees receive basic training, then serve in units according to military needs. Some may be assigned to alternative service if conscientious objection is honored, especially where legal frameworks allow noncombatant or civil service options.

Legal rights and obligations vary by country. Many jurisdictions reserve the right to prosecute draft evaders or to revoke citizenship in extreme cases; others allow conscientious objection or medical exemptions. Some nations have ended conscription or suspend it, relying on volunteer forces while maintaining a potential draft.

Among nations with ongoing conscription, draftees often serve a fixed term, after which they may become reservists or civilians. The status of draftees and the political debates surrounding conscription have shaped discussions on national defense, civil liberties, and social obligations.