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VERIFY: Are there local draft boards in place?

We are not at war and there is no active draft in place, but how does our country prepare for such an event?

MACON, Ga. — As tensions rise between the U.S. and Iran, there have been a lot of social media rumors and questions swirling about a draft.

So many people turned to the Selective Service website for answers that parts of it crashed over the weekend.

Earlier this week, we verified that there currently is no active draft and there hasn't been since the Vietnam War. 

RELATED: VERIFY: How the draft actually works and why people keep bringing up FAFSA

But if Congress and the President ever reinstated one, how would it work, and are there still local boards that would oversee?

The U.S. Selective Service is a civilian agency of the Executive Branch. 

"Our mission is to be ready. That's what the law says. We have to have an active, standby organization," says Craig Brown, Associate Director of Operations with the U.S. Selective Service. 

Roughly 120 employees and thousands of volunteers help register young men for the Selective Service when they turn 18, which is required by federal law.

"What would happen if there were a draft, what Selective Service does, is we determine the availability of a young man to serve. Then, you push them to Department of Defense and Department of Defense determines acceptability," says Brown. 

They do this with the help of local boards, a small group of people that live in a community, and listen to "administrative" or "judgmental" claims from drafted men looking for an exemption.

"Is it something that's enduring? Something that didn't just pop up yesterday when you got your draft notice? Is it something you sincerely believe, and is it consistent? Does it go through all parts of your life," says Brown. 

According to Brown, most boards are organized by county and are occasionally consolidated or expanded into larger or smaller groups based on population.

The roughly 11,000 active board members across the United States are nominated by their state's governor, and then appointed by the National Selective Service Director.

"Registration has nothing to do with the potential of serving in the military. It's just raising your hand and saying you acknowledge that you have some sort of obligation that, should your nation need you, that you're there," says Brown. 

Again, we are not at war and a draft would require an act of Congress and the signature of the President, but if it ever happens, we're prepared. 

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RELATED: Why FAFSA was trending after the US airstrike in Iraq

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