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What does the do?

Updates published annually

The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent federal agency responsible for maintaining information on individuals who could be called to military service in the event of a national emergency. It ensures the federal government has a fair and efficient process in place for conducting a draft if needed. It was established in 1940.

In FY 2024,

$24.6M

was spent by the Selective Service System
In FY 2024,

<0.1%

of federal spending was by the Selective Service System

How much does the Selective Service System spend?

The Selective Service System spent $24.6 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024. This was 0.00036% of the $6.78 trillion in overall federal spending. The department ranked 85th among federal agencies in total spending.

The Selective Service System accounted for <0.1% of all federal spending in FY 2024.

Share of SSS net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024

Federal spending may shift over time due to population growth, changes in policy and programs, and emerging problems to address. Adjusting for inflation, the Selective Service System’s federal spending has decreased from $36.8 million in 1980 to $24.6 million in 2024.

The Selective Service System’s federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Yearly federal net spending by SSS, adjusted for inflation (2024 dollars), FYs 1980–2024

Since 1980, the Selective Service System's spending has decreased 33.2%, while overall spending has increased 193.7%.
The department’s spending grew less than overall spending, which means that the department’s share of the federal budget decreased. In 2024, SSS accounted for 0.00036% of all federal spending. That’s 0.00029 percentage points lower than 2014 and 0.0012 points lower than in 1980.
Major legislation, internal or global economic conditions, and acute events like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect spending year to year. For example, the federal budget fluctuated during the pandemic, rising from $5.3 trillion (in 2023 dollars) in 2019 to $7.7 trillion in 2020 and $7.8 trillion in 2021.

The Selective Service System’s share of federal spending in FY 2024 was lower than in FY 1980.

Percentage of federal budget dedicated to SSS, FYs 1980–2024

Most federal spending can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct spending refers to money the federal government spends on budget items such as federal programs, employee salaries, and debt interest. Indirect spending refers to federal transfers to state and local governments.
In FY 2024, all of the Selective Service System's spending was direct.
The chart below outlines all SSS spending.

How did the Selective Service System spend its budget in 2024?

Federal government net spending isolated to SSS, FY 2024

How many people work for the Selective Service System?

Some 162 of the 2.31 million total civilian federal employees work for the Selective Service System as of September 2024. This is 9.5% fewer people than the agency staffed in 2010.

The number of federal employees working for the Selective Service System has decreased 9.5% since 2010.

Number of federal employees working for SSS, September 2010–2024

SSS accounts for 0.007% of the overall federal workforce. As the number of federal employees has changed, so too has the way the workforce is organized, with resources allocated to agencies depending on government priorities. SSS constituted a smaller share of the overall federal workforce in September 2024 than in 2010 (0.0086%).
While the number of employees on an agency’s payroll contributes to that agency’s expenditures, some agencies have relatively few employees compared to their budget or vice versa, giving them an outsized share of either the budget or the workforce. According to the most recent data, the Selective Service System's share of the workforce (0.007%) is larger than its share of the budget (0.00036%).

Who leads the Selective Service System?

The SSS is led by a Director, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The Director is not a cabinet-level official and serves at the discretion of the president, typically remaining in the role until they resign, are replaced, or a successor is appointed.

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Office of Personnel Management

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  • Office of Management and Budget and US Department of the Treasury

    Budget of the US Government and Monthly Treasury Statement

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