Army Warns Public to Ignore Fake Draft Notices via Text Message

U.S. Army Recruiting Command put out a fraud alert for fake draft notices. — U.S. Army Recruiting Command put out a message Jan. 7, 2020, warning the public to beware of fake draft notices amid growing tensions with Iran. Army photo

Military.com | By Matthew Cox

Published January 07, 2020

U.S. Army Recruiting Command put out a message Tuesday warning the public to beware of fake draft notices, which have been circulating since tensions escalated with Iran last week.

"A number of fraudulent text messages informing individuals they have been selected for a military draft have circulated throughout the country this week," according to a message on the command's website marked "FRAUD ALERT!!"

"U.S. Army Recruiting Command has received multiple calls and emails about these fake text messages and wants to ensure Americans understand these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army," it continues.

The warning comes just days after the Selective Service System's website crashed following the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, an act his government has promised to avenge.

The Selective Service sent out a tweet Friday blaming the "spread of misinformation" for the high volume of traffic to its site.

Since Friday, the Pentagon has ordered roughly 9,000 soldiers, Marines, sailors and special operations forces to the Middle East to reinforce the U.S. presence in the region.

However, the decision to "enact a draft is not made at or by U.S. Army Recruiting Command," the message states.

The U.S. has not had a draft since 1973, and it would take an act of Congress and a presidential signature to bring it back. Currently, 18- to 25-year-old males are required by law to register for the Selective Service, which is done most often when individuals get a driver's license or apply for federal student aid.

"The military has been an all-volunteer force since [1973]," the message states. "Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist a person into the military."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

-- Military.com reporter Gina Harkins contributed to this report.

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Related Topics: Military Headlines Army Recruit Iran

Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. During his time with Military.com he covered all the services, with a close eye on Army weapons development and procurement, body armor testing, camouflage, ammunition as well as readiness and training issues. He previously worked for 12 years for Army Times. He traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times from 2002 to 2008, covering Stryker and light infantry units in combat. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. Read Full Bio

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