President Franklin Roosevelt enacted the Selective Training and Service Act, establishing the country’s first peacetime draft and formally instituting the Selective Service System as an independent Federal agency. Age was originally set to 21-35; later it was expanded to 18-64.

As the year progressed, it became apparent that the United States would likely become involved in the conflict. Despite this being America’s inaugural peacetime draft, it was widely understood that lasting peace was uncertain. During this period, Congress placed significant limitations on the reach of the Selective Service. Draft quotas were kept low, draftees were restricted to serving within U.S. territories, and exemptions from conscription were easily obtainable. The majority of Americans acknowledged this situation and carried on with their lives.

Source: “Historical Timeline – 1939-1945 World War II.” Selective Service System, www.sss.gov/history-and-records/timeline/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2023.

Rutenberg, Amy  J. “Military Service and the Draft Post-World War II: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, The National World War II Museum, 15 Sept. 2021, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/military-service-and-draft-post-world-war-ii.