On this day in military history…
On September 16, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Selective Training and Service Act, marking the first peacetime draft in United States history. The decision came amid rising global tensions and the escalating conflict in Europe, where Nazi Germany’s aggressive expansion had plunged the continent into war. Though the United States was still officially neutral, Roosevelt and many of his advisors recognized the growing likelihood that the nation would eventually be drawn into the conflict. Preparing the country for such a possibility, the administration sought to strengthen national defense by ensuring that military forces would be adequately manned and trained in advance.
The new law required all American men between the ages of 21 and 35 to register with local draft boards. Those selected through the draft lottery would be obligated to serve in the armed forces for a period of 12 months. In addition to reinforcing the military, the legislation established a framework for training large numbers of civilians, many of whom had never served in the armed forces before. It was a significant departure from the traditional American reliance on volunteer enlistments during peacetime, and it sparked intense public debate about the role of government and the nation’s future involvement in global affairs.
Supporters of the draft viewed it as a necessary step to safeguard American security. They argued that with Europe engulfed in war and the Axis powers growing more assertive, the United States could not afford to be caught unprepared. The memory of American unpreparedness at the outset of World War I lingered in the public consciousness, and advocates insisted that training a strong and ready force was a prudent measure, not a provocation. Roosevelt, in his public addresses, reassured Americans that the draft was intended solely for defense and would not be used to send troops overseas unless Congress declared war.
Opponents, however, feared the draft could be a prelude to American intervention. Isolationist sentiments were still strong, particularly in the Midwest and among groups like the America First Committee, who believed the United States should steer clear of foreign entanglements. Some critics worried about the expansion of federal power and the precedent set by conscripting citizens during a time of peace. Others raised concerns about the fairness of the draft process and its impact on working-class families, who were more likely to be affected.
Despite the controversy, registration for the draft began just a month later, on October 16, 1940. Millions of men lined up at schools, post offices, and community centers to fill out their paperwork. The process was largely orderly and, over time, public resistance gave way to a sense of duty and national unity, especially after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, which brought the United States fully into World War II. The draft, initially conceived as a temporary precaution, would go on to become a central mechanism of American military policy for decades.
The signing of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 represented a turning point in U.S. history
