Younger generations are in the worst position for drafts

With Gen Z facing more mental health issues and a newer distrust of the military, a possible draft will leave damaging everlasting effects upon the generation.

By: Angel Martin, Opinion Editor

With the conflict in Iran stretching on for two-and-a-half months, and the U.S. appearing to take a more hostile approach to international diplomacy, Americans fear the possibility of getting drafted. If a draft occurs, Gen Z, in particular, will be afflicted the most, because they have a higher percentage of mental health issues and skeptical military views in the wake of an evolving warscape.

Drafting has become a topic since President Donald Trump made changes towards the Selective Service system last month. Towards the end of 2026, all eligible men between the ages of 18-26 will now be automatically added to the system and notified of their addition.

Drafting has always been a terrifying subject for past generations, but has now become more problematic due to students having increasing mental health issues with anxiety and depression, along with ideals that oppose participation in the military.

The last draft call was announced on Dec. 7, 1972 during the Vietnam War, calling for men born in 1952. Since then, a lot has changed for the current Gen Zers, who can sign up for the Selective Service system. 

Gen Z show higher rates in the struggle of mental health issues compared to older generations, with 44 percent of Gen Z suffering from anxiety or depression, and 37 percent receiving treatment or therapy for mental health afflictions. Meanwhile, a study done by Mission Roll Call revealed that 41 percent of war veterans gain some form of mental illness. Combined with an already-high mental health struggle, this could lead to a higher number of younger people being diagnosed with mental illness later in life. 

“There's that possibility of dying and the emotions running through,” said Zane Hussein, a student at Valley college when asked about his thoughts about the possibility of being drafted.

Gen Z has also shown more skepticism towards military intervention, and prefers diplomatic solutions instead of overseas military operations, leading to a 28 percent Air Force Academy and 20 percent Naval Academy drop from 2021 to 2022.

Military technology has also advanced in the last sixty years. Military operations have begun to use AI, with drone swarms and target identification, making newer generations the ones to face these issues should a draft ever occur. Because of this, many people have become skeptical of the role of humans in military operations, with President Trump's speech about Operation Epic Fury saying “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties, that often happens in war.” 

Newer generations like Gen Z are currently more opposed to a draft with newer views towards mental health issues affecting almost half of the generation and newer culture that sees the military through a skeptical lens. Should the draft occur, civilian backlash will rival the 60s anti-war movement.