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By Micheal Migliara, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer (acting), Selective Service System
As our nation nears its 250th anniversary next year and the Selective Service System commemorates 108 years since its founding this past Sunday, we are reminded of the enduring ideals that forged this republic—individual liberty, national sovereignty, and the shared responsibility of defending both. The Selective Service System exists to uphold these ideals, its mission underscoring our readiness to defend the nation. This mission is not just a policy—it is personal. It is measured in the lives of Americans like Private William Reeves, whose sacrifice embodies what it means to serve one’s country when called.
Private William Reeves: The First Draftee Laid to Rest at Arlington
Private William Reeves holds a unique place in American history as the first known draftee killed in combat and buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A member of the 76th New York Infantry Regiment, Reeves was drafted into the Union Army during the Civil War under the Enrollment Act of 1863—our country’s first federal conscription law. This law was enacted during a time when volunteer enlistments fell short, in the midst of a nation deeply divided.
Reeves was killed in action during the Battle of the Wilderness, a chaotic and brutal confrontation fought from May 5–7, 1864, in Virginia. On May 13, 1864, he was laid to rest in the newly established national cemetery at Arlington, a resting place that would become hallowed ground for those who gave their lives in service to America.
Reeves’s interment marked more than a burial—it symbolized the convergence of personal sacrifice and national necessity. He did not enlist by choice but answered the call with honor. His story underscores the profound cost of freedom, borne not just by volunteers but by all who are called to serve in moments of crisis.
Selective Service: Duty, Readiness, and National Unity
As we commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Selective Service System, we reflect on our unwavering commitment to national preparedness and unity. The agency’s mission remains clear—to ensure that, should a national emergency arise, we can effectively provide personnel to defend our homeland. While we pray we never need to implement a draft again, we must be ready if needed.
Every man who registers with the Selective Service takes part in this legacy of responsibility and sacrifice, reinforcing a sense of civic duty that echoes in every young man’s life. Registration is a rite of passage that reminds us all that freedom is not free and that the defense of our way of life must be shared across every community and every state. This enduring commitment to national defense is reflected in our strategic priorities, which include ensuring national readiness, strengthening public trust through transparency and fairness, and reinforcing civic responsibility among young men nationwide.
America250: A Time to Remember, A Time to Inspire
Approaching the semi-quincentennial in 2026, every agency, every citizen, and every story matters. The Selective Service System sees this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect with the American public, especially young men who may not yet understand the significance of registration. The story of William Reeves and thousands like him will be central to our public education efforts as we prepare for this national milestone. We will remind the country that the ability to respond in a crisis begins with a single act of readiness: registration and a pledge to stand watch.
Answering the Call Then and Now
Reeves’s story powerfully reminds us that the call to serve is not always chosen but always honored. His final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery is more than a grave—it is a testament to the ultimate sacrifice ordinary citizens make when the nation needs them most.
As we commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Selective Service System and prepare to celebrate America250, let us honor not only Reeves’s memory but the enduring values he represents—duty, unity, and service. We may not know when the next crisis will come, but we do know this: America will be ready—because Americans, like Private William Reeves, always have been.
