If it helps, every citizen (more or less) went through a mandatory cog-scan, then all cogs and potential pilot profiles were assessed.  Then a handful were contacted on their willingness to participate.  If they answered yes, then the cog was manufactured.  Now that the cog has been built, you have to participate.

[@VitaVitaAR] If you want to make a reluctant character (for teh DRAMA), I can make an exception.  Maybe your character's cog design was something the military had to have and chose to bypass consent in order to acquire it.  Also, your cog doesn't have to be humanoid, though this might mean that your character feels disconnected or uncomfortable with their own body.  If you're familiar with mobile armors, they're usually monstrously large and monstrously powerful.

example mobile armors: [hider=Neue Ziel][img]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/gundam/images/5/5f/Neue-ziel-morishita.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20101215075811[/img][/hider]
[Hider=Apsalus III][Img]http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090925213542/gundam/images/5/51/Apsalus_III.jpg[/img][/HIDER]
[HIDER=Neo Zeong][Img]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/gundam/images/6/66/Neo_zeong.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140922071337[/img][/hider]