Americans have to register for Selective Service, but there is no mandatory obligation to serve in the Armed Forces.
Technically, Selective Service is a requirement to serve in the military, but one which it is the MILITARY's option to excercise. That is, if the military decides to draft people (which, is what the Selective Service Act codifies), then you MUST serve. There are conditions which the military may grant you either a temporary or permanent waiver from your obligation, but once again, the conditions for such a waiver are set forth in the SSA's text, and are not subject to the individual's decision.
That is, the US currently has a compulsory military service law, for men only, but choses not to currently avail itself of drafting anyone. To be clear, ANY man 18 to 25 currently residing - whether legal or not, and regardless of citizenship - in the United States for a period of one year or more MUST LEGALLY REGISTER for Selective Service. However, the U.S. Military is not currently conducting a draft, so registering does not mean you will automatically be called into service.
Now is not mandatory.
No, it does not.
No.
In the US, there is no mandatory service requirement. You are, however, required to sign for the Selective Service Act when you turn 18, which makes you eligible for mandatory service, should the draft be reinstated. Some countries do have a mandatory military service requirement. See related link "Wkipedia.org - Military Service" for a listing of these countries.
Military involvement is mandatory in Mexico for all 18 year-old males.
Yes, they do have a manditory military serivice in Chile
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Women in Military Service for America Memorial was created in 1997.
18 Years old.
No it did not. The soldiers joined voluntarily and the army was professional.
In other countries it is called conscription, or mandatory military service.
While a form of Selective Service registration remains a requirement in the United States for males reaching the age of 18, the draft (actually mandatory military service) ended in the US in 1973.