Rob Schneider, the San Francisco-born comedian and actor known for his outspoken political views, is urging the United States to reinstate compulsory military service as the country remains engaged in a conflict in the Middle East.
In a lengthy post on X, Schneider argued that all young Americans should be required to serve.
“We must once again recommit ourselves to one Nation Under God, indivisible,” he wrote Friday, March 27. “Therefore, we must restore the military draft for our Nation’s young people. Each and every American, at eighteen years of age, must serve two years of military service.”
Schneider, 61, who has not served in the military, described the proposal as a way to promote unity and preparedness.
“Being a citizen of the United States gives us unparalleled Freedoms and opportunities that are the envy of the world,” he wrote. “However, these Freedoms that we cherish do not come without a cost.”
He added that mandatory service would place young Americans in “a rigorous physical training course” and ensure “a standing army ready at all times including for domestic problems like natural disasters.”
The United States ended the draft in 1973 after the Vietnam War and now relies on an all-volunteer military. Men ages 18 to 25 are still required to register with the Selective Service System in case a draft is reinstated. Any such move would require approval from Congress.
Schneider also suggested that universal service could affect how leaders approach military decisions.
“We would have in service every segment of our society so that our elected officials would be more hesitant and not cavalier about sending their own sons and daughters off to a faraway war,” he wrote. “The discussion and implementation must begin.”
His comments come as Trump administration officials have declined to rule out broader military options tied to the conflict, though there has been no indication that a draft is under active consideration.
Schneider, a former “Saturday Night Live” cast member who later built a film career with roles in comedies such as “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” and “The Hot Chick,” has increasingly drawn attention for political statements in recent years.
In 2024, he criticized the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, saying it “openly celebrates Satan,” and his stand-up performances have at times sparked controversy. That same year, his daughter, singer Elle King, described their “relationship as “toxic” in a podcast interview, adding, “I don’t want to be associated with him.”
In 2025, he appeared at a Turning Point USA event at UC Berkeley that drew protests and a brief altercation outside.
Reaction online to his latest proposal was swift and often pointed. Some users criticized the idea of mandatory service, while others questioned Schneider’s stance given his own lack of military experience.
This article originally published at San Francisco comedian Rob Schneider urges U.S. to reinstate military draft.