Selective Service and Autism: Can Your Child Be Drafted?

The Selective Service System (SSS) plays a critical role in the United States, maintaining a list of potential draftees in case a military draft is ever reinstated. While many young Americans are required to register with the Selective Service upon turning 18, the issue of eligibility for military service is complex, particularly when it comes to individuals with autism and other disabilities. As the prospects of a military conflict become more apparent in various parts of the world, we will focus on the relationship between Selective Service and individuals with autism, focusing on eligibility criteria and accommodations.

The eligibility criteria for military service are outlined by the U.S. Department of Defense, and they involve physical, mental, and medical standards. People with autism and other disabilities may find that certain conditions are disqualifying, but it’s essential to note that not all disabilities automatically bar individuals from serving. Each individual case is unique and some disabilities, including Asperger’s, may not necessarily be disqualifying for military service, depending on the nature and severity of the condition.

Certain disabilities, such as severe physical impairments or cognitive disabilities that significantly impact daily functioning, would typically disqualify individuals from military service. However, some autism traits in higher functioning individuals may actually be considered an asset in specific military roles, such as intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, or logistics planning.

With a few exceptions, all males between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. The fines and penalties for failing to do so can be pretty severe, so ignoring registration simply due to the presence of a disability is not an option.

In the event of a major conflict and a military draft is reinstated, an individual with autism may be drafted to serve. However, they would still need to pass physical and mental tests. Those with moderate-to-severe autism would typically have difficulty passing these tests.

Additionally, parents may file an exemption demonstrating that their son has autism, making them ineligible to serve. However, this would take place AFTER your son is drafted, so you would have to still deal with the stress of going through the process of acquiring an exemption.

If you have not done so already, be sure to have a verifiable autism diagnosis already in place from a licensed medical or mental health professional. This way, your child’s condition will already be well documented before any exemption process is initiated.

Selective Service and military service eligibility for people with disabilities is a nuanced issue. While some disabilities may disqualify individuals from serving, others may not. Ultimately, eligibility and accommodations will be determined on an individual, case-by-case basis.