Before the year is out, military draft-eligible Long Islanders — along with the rest of American men ages 18-25 — will no longer need to register for the Selective Service System, because the federal government will start doing it for them. This does not mean that the all-volunteer U.S. military is returning to the draft, which the United States used to fight its wars from 1917 through 1973. But it is a departure from a system in place since 1980 that requires men within a month of turning 18 to register with the selective service in the event of a national emergency that would necessitate a military draft. It comes at a time when the U.S. is at war with Iran and navigating heightened tensions with potential adversaries including China and Russia. More at the link in bio. (Photo: Getty Images/Andrew Harnik) . . . #longisland #longislandny #usmilitary #militarydraft #draft