The last time Americans were drafted for military service was in 1973, and there are no current plans to draft anyone. U.S. military forces are all-volunteer. Puerto Rico sends a higher percentage of volunteers into the U.S. military than nearly all the states (recent state Alaska is the exception). Yet the issue of the draft still resonates in Puerto Rico. For one thing, Puerto Ricans can be drafted but can’t vote for their Commander in Chief.
Puerto Ricans can be drafted
One common misconception about Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States is that the U.S. gave Puerto Rico U.S. citizenship in 1917 so it could draft men from Puerto Rico. That is not true.
Puerto Rico received U.S. citizenship on March 2, 1917, under the Jones-Shafroth Act. Two months later, the U.S. government passed a military draft — but it specifically excluded Puerto Rico from service. The territorial legislature requested that Puerto Rico be included. The federal government changed the law to allow Puerto Ricans to register for the draft. The first day it was available, 104,000 men signed up. Eventually, more than 250,000 Puerto Ricans registered for the draft and about 25,000 were selected.
There is no way these acts can be understood as Uncle Sam giving U.S. citizenship to Puerto Rico in order to draft Puerto Ricans into service. However, Puerto Rican men are, like all other male U.S. citizens, required to register for the draft when they turn 18. Beginning in 2027, registration for Selective Service — that is, the draft– will be automatic for all male U.S. citizens.
Social media claims that President Trump wants to reinstate the draft have been circulating, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in answer to an interview question in March 2026 that a draft is not part of the “current plan,” but the president is “keeping his options on the table.” However, just like Puerto Rico statehood, resuming the draft would be up to Congress, not the president.
Residents of Puerto Rico can’t vote for the Commander in Chief
The President of the United States is also the Commander in Chief of the U.S. armed forces. U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico — no matter where they were born — cannot vote in presidential elections.
It doesn’t make sense that Puerto Rican soldiers can be drafted but can’t vote for their Commander in Chief. But Puerto Ricans also can’t vote for senators, because Puerto Rico doesn’t have any senators. And we can’t vote through our representatives for any laws in Congress, including laws about Puerto Rico. This is because Puerto Rico has no voting members in Congress.
In short, even though Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they are not fully represented in American democracy. This is counter to the foundational principles of the United States.
What’s the solution?
Why can’t Puerto Rico participate fully in the government of our own country? Because Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory not a state. Puerto Rico has been an important part of the United States for more than a century, but still is a territory, not a permanent part of the nation. Yet Puerto Rico’s voters have chosen statehood four times — that’s every status vote this century — and have officially requested statehood.
Puerto Rico should be admitted as a state. Congress is not acting on the democratically expressed will of the people of Puerto Rico. Reach out to your representatives and let them know that you want to see Puerto Rico become a state.
One response
–Support–Equal Rights-Representative Government-Democracy for All-US Veterans!–
“Honor their Memory—Keep fighting for Democracy!”
Facts are–since 1898 (for 128+ years) the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-Veterans than 21 States)- has NO Federal “consent of the Governed” (NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO parity in some Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding…that other US Citizens fully get; NO permanent “statutory” US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…; are under unfair Congressional plenary power! Plus, the Federal Government autocratically controls PR’s: Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.!
“US Citizens/Veterans come first; not Federal institutional subjugation!”
The biased Territorial Status (without just Federal representation)–brings instability; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete; adversely affects everything–like the Economy/Jobs, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Social Programs, etc.; limits Economic growth/progress; fuels an Exodus to the States; is UN-AMERICAN!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of all “We the People”; not the Master of some!”
It’s not right that American Veterans from US Territory of Puerto Rico that fought for our Liberty suffer Federal subjugation! Like the US 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers-awarded the Unit Congressional Gold Medal—highest Honor US Congress, with US President, can bestow). Also, it includes my Borinqueneer Father–Celio Freytes-Menendez (US Army Retired/WWII & Korea–earned Combat Infantry Badge with star/Bronze Star for Valor). Besides, let’s not forget the Families that sacrificed & suffered for their Love ones (like my Mother Gloria E. Gonzalez-Marrero-Teacher & Social Worker)!
“God has Guardian Angels, as we have “Warriors of Good” that protect us; fight against bad & evil; for the Good of All!”
No retreat; no surrender to injustice! IN THEIR MEMORY and for Today’s US Veterans–Fight for RIGHT! Take Civic Action (non-partisan)—Petition our Federal Government to ensure Equal Civil Rights a representative Democracy for all “WE THE PEOPLE”; END Federal undemocratic control of US Citizens-Veterans in Puerto Rico–do a Plebiscite on defined Non-Territorial Options which only are: “STATEHOOD” vs “INDEPENDENCE” (or Independence with Free Association Pact”) or admit PR as a State (majority voted 4 times for “PR Equality & Progress with STATEHOOD”)!
“We are Stronger with a Union of States!” (“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!”)
In our US Republic-the power should reside with-“a Government of the People, by the People, and for the People” (Lincoln)! GOD BLESS OUR American Veteran HEROES as we work (with Truth & Reason) for the Good of All: Family, Community, USA, and Humanity!
–By: DENNIS O. FREYTES-US Army Retired/ Florida Veterans Hall of Fame (by FL Governor)—
–ADVOCATE/INFORM/EDUCATE on FACTS–
THE MEDIA/ALL– should bring National attention on the just quest for Puerto Rican Equality; ASK/PETITION our Federal Government to ensure: “consent of the governed”; Equal Civil Rights/with a Democracy for all “We the People”!–
+Q: “Since 1898, the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico—home to more American citizens than 21 states—has lacked federal consent of the governed (contrary to our core representative Government/democracy principles). Do you support full equal civil rights by resolving Puerto Rico’s status through a non-territorial plebiscite or Statehood (requested by PR majority), or do you support continued territorial subjugation?” THANKS!
SCRIPT: HONORS TO FALLEN US VETERANS
MC: Please stand to Honor our noble US Veterans-Fallen Heroes- in a moment of Silence–as we pray for their Souls and remember they bravely served, sacrificed, and shed sweat, blood and tears as they made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty; gave up their Lives for us; our noble USA and Humanity–so we can live in Peace, Freedom-Democracy, & Prosperity.
• Now, our brave Fallen-have been re-born to another dimension-Life everlasting, and reported in Heaven, to God’s Guardian Angel Legion! “When you hear the Church bells ring, an Angel got its Wings!” Remember–“Warriors of Good never die, their noble fighting Spirit for a just cause–lives forever!” God Bless!
• Plus, let’s not forget their grieving Families/ Love ones; the unborn future generations that the Fallen were not able to procreate!
• Besides, “Silence to Federal suppression; supports injustice!” Thus, please Honor their Memory—Keep fighting for Democracy! Please, Stand-Up for all American Veterans to include our “Fallen” from the US Territory of Puerto Rico (with more loyal US Citizens/ Veterans than 21 States– that have no full “Civil Rights” or “Federal consent of the governed”; is still (since 1898) under Federal undemocratic Territorial control; some unjust Laws. Please, support Equal Civil Rights; a Representative Government/Democracy for all “We the People”, per our core values and principles!
• Let’s pray in silence as:
“God has Guardian Angels; we have “Warriors of Good” that protect us; fight against bad & evil; for the Good of All!”
(PLAY Taps)