The GOP’s Quiet Draft Plans: How the 2025 NDAA Almost Transformed Military Registration

A closer look at an unprecedented proposed change to the Selective Service System and what it might signal about war preparation

Photo by Chad Stembridge on Unsplash

Historical Context and Legislative Framework

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) stands as Congress’s primary vehicle for setting defense policy and funding, having been enacted annually since 1961. A House-passed version of the 2025 NDAA included significant changes to military registration and readiness systems, but the final NDAA omitted the automatic Selective Service provision. These evolving proposals still warrant careful analysis, particularly regarding their implications for civil liberties and the relationship between citizens and the state.

The NDAA process traditionally represents a bipartisan effort to authorize Department of Defense activities and spending. However, the 2025 House version reflected distinct GOP policy priorities, particularly in its approach to military registration and per…