What to Do Today if the U.S. Military Drafts You Tomorrow

The United States military offers exemptions for conscientious objectors—those who have a moral objection to taking up arms and killing in war. Being a true conscientious objector doesn't come about by a heat-of-the-moment decision out of fear. Instead, it is an identity that comes through careful Bible study and intentionality in living a life of peace. You can begin preparing today! This article will walk you through the steps of studying the topic of military service as well as preparing documentation that will help you prove that your beliefs are sincere and long held.

The last time the United States had an active military draft was in 1973, nearing the end of the Vietnam War. Using a lottery system for selection, young men between the ages of 18 and 26 were required to report for military service, provided they passed their medical exams and didn’t qualify for a deferment. Although there is no active draft today, eligible men continue to register, and by December 2026 that registration will become automatic. This federal change only affects registration; it doesn’t mean that a military draft is imminent. At the same time, it serves as a reminder that Christians should prepare to answer for their beliefs before the questions become urgent.

Those seeking classification as a conscientious objector must register after being drafted. They must demonstrate that their belief is long-standing, consistent and sincere. Conscientious objectors will appear before a local board of members of the community. At this hearing, the draftee may provide written documentation and include appearances by people he knows to provide character references of his beliefs. These guidelines don’t suggest a last-minute conviction, but rather a way of life that one has lived before getting drafted. It requires intentionality now in living out one's beliefs. Part one of this article series covered the basics of the draft and some considerations as a Christian when it comes to conscientious objection. In this second part, we will cover several actionable things you can do now that will help you “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

What is Conscientious Objection?

The Selective Service System defines a conscientious objector as “one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.” Some believe that war is a special circumstance and that the sixth commandment telling us not to kill doesn’t apply in that circumstance. Others feel strongly that a Christian should never bear arms, as it goes against Christ’s example and teachings. The United Church of God’s fundamental belief on Military Service and War states the following:

We believe that Christians are forbidden by the commandments of God from taking human life directly or indirectly and that bearing arms is contrary to this fundamental belief. Therefore, we believe that Christians should not voluntarily become engaged in military service. If they are involuntarily engaged in military service, we believe they should refuse conscientiously to bear arms and, to the extent possible, refuse to come under military authority.

Whether or not you agree with the statement, it falls on each of us to prove our beliefs to ourselves through the word of God. The Bible should rule our lives and guide our actions, so it is imperative to prove all things through a Biblical lens (1 Thessalonians 5:21). 

How to Identify What You Believe

Before studying a topic, it’s important to identify what preexisting opinions you may have, whether it’s a product of beliefs passed down, a previous study or conversations you’ve engaged in about the topic. It will be helpful to write down your thoughts on the topic and list any scriptures that come to mind that back up your beliefs. The goal for all of us is to make sure our beliefs are based on Scripture, not just on our own observations or preconceptions. If you can’t think of many scriptures or you don’t have much of an opinion on the topic, it’s a good sign that your belief needs further investigation and development. Here are a few points to help you get started in this study.

1. Write down any questions you have about the topic.

Would you be able to explain this topic to a friend? If there are gaps or unanswered questions in your explanation, write them down. This will serve as a good starting point for your study.

2. Start in the Bible.

To come to a biblically sound conclusion, your study must start and end in the Bible. Start by going to the first scriptures you can think of for the topic and take notes on what the scripture is saying. What are the main takeaways? Start branching out to other scriptures. You can do this by identifying a keyword and searching for other scriptures with that word or checking the margins of your Bible for similar verses. Document every scripture you go to and take notes. It’s okay if it’s unorganized or messy: this stage is just about keeping track of what scriptures you’ve gone to.

3. Identify the main points of discussion.

As you take notes, you’ll start to see some themes emerge. Exodus 20:13 points to a broad statement about killing, while verses like John 18:36 and Philippians 3:20 talk about our sovereign identity. Notice the different angles covered in each of the scriptures and group them together. This will help you begin to understand the overarching points and provide a framework for your statement of beliefs later.

4. Pray and meditate.

As with any Bible study we do, it’s important to include God in the process. Ask Him for guidance and understanding as you research the topic. Rely on God’s word and direction to reach a conclusion.

5. Write a summary.

Using scripture, write a summary of what you studied. Sometimes it’s helpful to create a bullet list of each scripture with a short description of its major themes. Use whatever system works best for you to organize your thoughts.

Whatever conclusion you come to in the study, it should have a bearing on your life and your actions. It’s not enough to simply know what you believe; God expects action from us (James 2:17). For the rest of the article, let’s dive into what to do if you have an objection to serving in the military. Right now, there is no active draft in the United States, and it’s easy to avoid joining the military. However, if the draft is reinstated, it will require faith and effort to resist conscription. Preparation should start long before that happens.

Writing the Statement of Beliefs

The statement of beliefs will be one of the most important steps in the process of applying to be a conscientious objector. It is the document in which you will lay out your beliefs from start to finish and make an argument for why the military should exempt you from taking up arms. Recommendations vary on what exactly should be in this statement. GI Rights Hotline suggests that conscientious objector applicants should focus on answering three specific questions:

1. What do you believe?

This is where you should explain your personal beliefs about military service and war. Make sure you document your personal beliefs, in your own words. To copy someone else’s verbiage or ask AI to make a compelling argument will not force you to work through the process described in 1 Peter 3:15. Make sure to form your own opinion. A strong defense will be based on scripture. If you did a thorough study into the topic, you should have an abundance of scriptures to reference. A good strategy for explaining your beliefs is to start out with a statement or claim (e.g., “I believe that to participate in war through the killing of human life violates my sovereign identity”). After writing a clear and concise statement about one area of your beliefs, choose 1–3 scriptures to back up that statement and explain how those scriptures serve as the foundation for your belief. It’s a good idea to develop several main claims to demonstrate your depth of knowledge and to account for a variety of vantage points on the topic.

2. How did your beliefs develop (what events, factors influenced you to believe this) and when did they become incompatible with the military?

Maybe you had a moment in your life that convicted you of your beliefs. Perhaps your belief has always been there, but something you heard or read (maybe this article!) inspired you to research this topic more thoroughly. These would be good things to include in this section. The people reviewing your application are trying to determine if your belief is earnest and not the result of a last-minute fear of being deployed. Take the time to build out your case and dive into your mindset surrounding this topic.

3. How does your life reflect those beliefs and how do your beliefs influence decisions or choices you make daily?

This will be a key section in the statement of beliefs. The previous two points are important for explaining the reasoning behind your beliefs, but this one focuses on how you live it out. It may take a bit more time to articulate, because you likely aren’t faced with the threat of war or violence every day. The heart of this final question really comes down to this: do you live out peace and the values you profess to hold in all areas of your life? If you’re prone to bursts of violence or you mistreat people, it speaks volumes to what is truly in your heart. For this question, you can enlist the help of your family and friends to get their impressions of how you live your life. When you explain your beliefs before a board, they will likely allow you to call forward several people you know to be character witnesses for you. It’s up to you to ensure that your actions mirror your beliefs, and this is the section of the statement where you’ll get to explain how you do that.

Those are just three potential questions you can answer in your statement of beliefs. The Center on Conscience and War has a step-by-step guide that includes six essay questions to help applicants write a statement. There are many other websites with information on how to prepare for this portion of the defense; it’s worth researching and comparing to get a fuller picture of the potential aspects you can write about. What matters the most is that you do the work yourself and write honestly and thoroughly about how you came to your beliefs.

Gather and Keep Your Documentation

It’s never too early to write your statement of beliefs. In fact, starting the process today will give you lots of time to articulate your beliefs and, in turn, develop your way of living. If you wait until the draft to write your statement, you’ll be in a hurry to write everything down, which can negatively impact your writing. Mr. Steve Myers, the Operation Manager of Ministerial and Member Services, recommends the following process: 

A young man should keep a dated personal statement explaining his convictions, along with other supporting material such as a pastoral letter, counseling notes, journal entries, or letters from parents or others who can testify that these beliefs have been clearly held over time. He may also mail himself a sealed, postmarked letter explaining his beliefs and keep it unopened as an additional supporting item.

You can talk to your pastor for help with obtaining a pastoral letter—a document your pastor writes that explains his relationship with you and provides examples of you living out your beliefs. Try to obtain a variety of letters so you have multiple perspectives and character references. Taking time to write your statement before the draft will give you the best chance of avoiding conscription into the military and establish you in your beliefs and peaceful lifestyle.

Prove it For Yourself!

Whatever your beliefs are on the topic of military service, I hope this article gives you a helpful starting place for establishing yourself in your beliefs. We are responsible for working out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12), which means it falls on each of us individually to consult God’s word for answers. I encourage you to study this topic and take the steps needed to live out your beliefs.