You may enlist at 17 with your parents' consent. Without their consent, you may enlist between the ages of 18 and 35. To register, go to a local post office and fill out a registration form, which asks for your name, address, sex, date of birth and Social Security number. You will not get a physical exam or be classified for the draft when you register.

If an actual draft is called, you will be notified by Western Union Mailgram, ordering you to report for a physical exam and processing. It will also give information on exemptions and deferments. A "tear off" portion of the letter you receive acknowledging your registration may be used as proof of registration.

If you fail to register, you could be convicted of a federal crime, punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. Also, you may have to show proof of registration to be eligible for federal college financial assistance and federal job training assistance programs.