Posted on Mar 11, 2016
What were your feelings and thoughts when you first opened your draft notice?
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This question is for our Vietnam era Veterans here on RallyPoint. Share with us what your feelings were when you first received and opened your draft notice.
The Comments Here are Historical and Awesome!
What was your stance on the war? Explain your opinion
Did your parents put ideas into your head about the war that you didn't nessisarly believe in?
The Comments Here are Historical and Awesome!
What was your stance on the war? Explain your opinion
Did your parents put ideas into your head about the war that you didn't nessisarly believe in?
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 917
PO2 Lewis Brockman
CPT was an Honer and a pleasure would do it all again if I were able and still not too bad LOL
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I enlisted USMC in 74 as soon as I could get in (17). I grew up watching the news and felt compelled to serve in honor of those that had fallen. I am proud of my service and understand that while war is the last solution, sometimes it is the only solution left. I love my country and find it hard to understand the lack of patriotism and overall malaise of our current society.
My father was a WWII vet and supported my service. Mom cried a lot but signed... She still has my picture in dress blues hanging on the fridge. I certainly was motivated but the Marines taught me about teamwork, humanity and sacrifice. I was one of the most formative periods of my life.
My father was a WWII vet and supported my service. Mom cried a lot but signed... She still has my picture in dress blues hanging on the fridge. I certainly was motivated but the Marines taught me about teamwork, humanity and sacrifice. I was one of the most formative periods of my life.
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COL Jon Lopey
John: I too volunteered on my 18th birthday right out of high school in the USMC ('72). My father was a WW II and Korean veteran. My mother wouldn't sign so I went in on my own. It was a distinct honor and privilege serving in the USMC during that time because I got to serve with the best our nation had - including, Marines like you. Semper Fi, COL L
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Funny story about that. I joined the Navy in August of 1975 and didn't turn 18 until September 1975. So when I turned 18 I didn't go down and register for the draft. Well when I was in Boot Camp in Orlando I got a letter jumping my butt for not registering. I just replied please take an look at the return address and post mark and sent that off. Return Address was SN Mark Saffell, RTC Orlando, Company 223D. I guess they got the message because I never heard back LOL
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PO2 Mark Saffell We started in the same year (January 1975) and I turned 18 in October 1975. I never received anything about registration or if I did my parents never told me about it. Thanks for your service Mark!
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CPT Brad Wilson
I’m too young for the draft but the same thing happened to my dad. He joined the Marines at 17 and had been in Okinawa for about a year when he got his draft notice. It was addressed using his rank followed by USMC and sent to his APO address. His commander and 1Sgt sent a colorful letter back to his draft board
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I laughed out loud...took a felt tip and wrote on it "I dare you" and sent it back to them...uh, postmarked SP5 Marsh, APO 331...the letter said that they noticed I had not signed up for selective service and that was a law and if they didn't hear from me immediately I would be drafted. I had already been in the Army for over two years. nice that our government's different departments talk to each other.
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I was drafted while I was in Vietnam. I quickly said I must go home and answer my call but the old man said he would take care of my draft notice. Close to a year after I joined the Marines I received my notice. Uncle Sam wanted me but Chesty had me. Semper Fi!
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I enlisted.
So there I was, in BCT, sitting on the barracks floor one evening, polishing my boots when I heard the lottery draw over the radio.
They went right past me. I would never have been called!
It's just as well; I would never have been a dustoff medic, doing my part as a combat medic.
So there I was, in BCT, sitting on the barracks floor one evening, polishing my boots when I heard the lottery draw over the radio.
They went right past me. I would never have been called!
It's just as well; I would never have been a dustoff medic, doing my part as a combat medic.
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CW4 Jim Webb
For those of us old enough to have turned 18 before the lottery, we went to the mailbox with your heart in your throat every day from 18 until 26. Many of us enlisted just to get it over with - and have at least the illusion of having some control over their fate. No regrets, you make your choices and do the best you can.
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COL Jon Lopey
Paul: I didn't worry about it because I volunteered for the Marines anyway. I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. Only a small percentage of our generation served during 'Nam (9 to 12%). It was a privilege and I served in good units and I had great leaders. Thank you for your exemplary service and for saving lives...! COL L
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PO2 Lewis Brockman
COL Lopey,Sir
I was a river rat in the delta saw a lot of you guys and you guys saw a lot of me. We fought as brothers and now i say " he who sheads blood with me is always my brother"
I was a river rat in the delta saw a lot of you guys and you guys saw a lot of me. We fought as brothers and now i say " he who sheads blood with me is always my brother"
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Already knew mine was coming. My uncle was on the draft board and dad was local sheriff. Two of my first cousins were being drafted in May of '68 and my name (prior to lottery system) was coming up in June. Very small community in Louisiana. Dad asked if I would rather leave a month earlier to be with my cousins. I signed up for draft, we all went thru basic together at Ft Polk, one of the cousins went on to Ft Hood, and never left states, actually stayed AWOL more than stayed in. Other went to Korea, me? Vietnam. Had no problem going in as father served in WWII and called up for Korea. Being a good ole boy from the south, it was my duty.
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PO2 Lewis Brockman
There were a lot of southern boys in the service at that time . Like you said Honer and Duty
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I enlisted in the Air Force July 1966 and in August was in Basic training. MY Dad (now aged 95 and doing fine ) was a WWII Navy veteran and He also was recalled to active duty for Korea. I spent most of 1968 and the earlier part of 196 in Vietnam. My Family I'm proud to say have served in every war (except the civil War) from the American Revolution up to Me in Vietnam. Even prior to there being a United States two had served in the French and Indian War. My Late Father in law was a WWII Army, Combat Veteran.
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I had been expecting the letter. Actually, I never expected to serve in Vietnam because this was before the first big buildup. (I was drafted in April, 1965.) My Dad had been drafted and served in Europe during WWII so I felt that military service was a duty I should perform without complaint (or with minimal complaint!) and return to my normal life when it was over. I had no opinion on the war when I went over. Back then you just didn't question the government. My eyes were opened while I was in country and I was somewhat active against the war after I returned. I NEVER thought that I would later enlist in the Army Reserve and retire from the US Army with 29 years of service! Life is strange!
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Got mine when I was at Parris Island. Drill Instructor saw it. Asked what it was; then ripped it out of my hand and told me he would take care of that BS.
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