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?
What Would You Do
Warfare
Service
Vietnam War
Edited 4 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 917
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I had a high draft number, for which I was grateful, as my intention was to enter the military as a Chaplain, which I did. My dad was a retired CW4 so military service was always in our family a good thing.
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LtCol George Carlson
As you should have read, a lot of us who volunteered got frat notices anyway. I was on a military reserve deferment (I-D) from 6 Nov 1963 to 7 Jul 1968 when I came on active duty. My notice to report letter came in April 1969.
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Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire
All you guys who actually got notices even if you volunteered or not were 18, am I right?
I was 17 when I enlisted, and placed my boots in the Nam on my 18th Birthday! And yes I finished my education and college after I was discharged.
I was 17 when I enlisted, and placed my boots in the Nam on my 18th Birthday! And yes I finished my education and college after I was discharged.
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I had a low number, so I knew I was gonna be drafted. So I went down to see the USAF recruiter and he gave me the AQE test among others, which I passed with 95s... I went home to think about it and got my notice a few days later. I called up the recruiter and asked him what I should do. He said since I had taken the tests I should just join the Air Force, which I did.
After basic I was sent to electronics school at Keeler AFB, where I was able to wash through all my classes and get stationed at Griffith AFB where I fixed the air navigation and radar guidance equipment aboard B52 and KC135 tankers... I froze my butt off in upstate NY, even though I had volunteered for SE Asia...
While I was not an enthusiastic volunteer, I came to value what I learned in the USAF and has served me well all my life. And now I've found it was more than worth it due to my VA benefits.
To the guys suffering from PTSD and was injuries I tip my hat. You carried the load for all of us "lucky" guys. You have my admiration and respect.
After basic I was sent to electronics school at Keeler AFB, where I was able to wash through all my classes and get stationed at Griffith AFB where I fixed the air navigation and radar guidance equipment aboard B52 and KC135 tankers... I froze my butt off in upstate NY, even though I had volunteered for SE Asia...
While I was not an enthusiastic volunteer, I came to value what I learned in the USAF and has served me well all my life. And now I've found it was more than worth it due to my VA benefits.
To the guys suffering from PTSD and was injuries I tip my hat. You carried the load for all of us "lucky" guys. You have my admiration and respect.
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MY draft # was 360 I enlisted I went through Basic with the last batch Of draftees August 72. I never worried about my Draft #.
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Join right after high school, was already in basic when I found out my number was 360. It did not bother me at all. I had made my decision months before graduation, had discussed with it with my parents, after the wailing and gnashing of teeth they accepted the fact I was going. Didn't tell them I had already singed the papers.
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Shouldn't this be addressed to WWII vets as more WWII vets were drafted than Vietnam vets? 2/3 of WWII vets were drafted whereas 2/3 of Vietnam vets volunteered.
I would like to know - does anyone who is a Vietnam vet have a story of being disrespected when redeploying home such as spat on or any of the stories we've heard about how people treated Vietnam vets when they came home? I did a quick Google search and it seems the Vietnam vets being spit on stories started in the 90s during the ramp up to Desert Storm. I'm just wondering if anyone who actually is a Vietnam vet experienced any of those things and after service did you ever partake in anti-war protesting?
I've read there are quite a lot of myths about the Vietnam war and those who served. Then there's this:
In the Aug 1995 census 1,713,823 Vietnam vets were still alive. Yet in that same census, 9.492,958 Americans claimed to have served...
I would like to know - does anyone who is a Vietnam vet have a story of being disrespected when redeploying home such as spat on or any of the stories we've heard about how people treated Vietnam vets when they came home? I did a quick Google search and it seems the Vietnam vets being spit on stories started in the 90s during the ramp up to Desert Storm. I'm just wondering if anyone who actually is a Vietnam vet experienced any of those things and after service did you ever partake in anti-war protesting?
I've read there are quite a lot of myths about the Vietnam war and those who served. Then there's this:
In the Aug 1995 census 1,713,823 Vietnam vets were still alive. Yet in that same census, 9.492,958 Americans claimed to have served...
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A1C Ronald McKenzie
Well, there are Vietnam Vets, and there are Vietnam ERA Vets... I'm one of the latter. I know there's a lot of confusion on that point.
While I never faced off with a protestor, I was flying standby in uniform and was told not to go into D.C. In uniform, so I just stayed at the airport while passing through. I'm sure some guys did get spat upon, but was it that many... don't know.
While I never faced off with a protestor, I was flying standby in uniform and was told not to go into D.C. In uniform, so I just stayed at the airport while passing through. I'm sure some guys did get spat upon, but was it that many... don't know.
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A1C (Join to see)
I was stationed in California before going to Vietnam in May 1968 as an Air Force E-4. I rarely ever wore my uniform off post, but when, I did you could feel the stares and discrimination. If you were single, you could forget about a date. I encountered middle fingers and thumbs down from young, hippy types, but no one ever spit on me or I would have knocked them out uniform or no uniform.
When I came home in 1969 with two DFCs, a BSM with V, a dozen Air Medals and a Purple Heart, no one ever said thanks for my service or honored me in any way until 1982. This was when I participated in the march in Washington, D.C. to dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and to honor the Vietnam Veterans.
Although it took 13 years for me. it was the first time I truly felt honored to have served my country. I have never forgot the cheering crowds and all the waving hands and smiling faces lining the parade route along the street and from the office buildings. I have felt honored and grateful to the American public ever since that march in November 1982.
When I came home in 1969 with two DFCs, a BSM with V, a dozen Air Medals and a Purple Heart, no one ever said thanks for my service or honored me in any way until 1982. This was when I participated in the march in Washington, D.C. to dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and to honor the Vietnam Veterans.
Although it took 13 years for me. it was the first time I truly felt honored to have served my country. I have never forgot the cheering crowds and all the waving hands and smiling faces lining the parade route along the street and from the office buildings. I have felt honored and grateful to the American public ever since that march in November 1982.
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1LT Vance Titus
I was called "baby killer" in the SeaTac Airport after clearing Ft. Lewis on my way home from Vietnam. One of my early job interviews after separating I was told that I had learned nothing in the military that would be worthwhile in my job with that company. I got up and left, instantly.
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