What were your feelings and thoughts when you first opened your draft notice?

I never got an actual draft notice but I knew I was prime material in 1967. I was 19 years old and didn't have a deferment. I'd already had my draft physical and was rated 1-A. Guys my age were being drafted in my home town so I knew my time was coming up. (This was pre-lottery. They just worked down the list and you really didn't have any idea when your name would be called.)

I didn't support the war in Viet Nam and I decided to take affirmative action. I signed up for the Navy electronics program. My buddies thought I was nuts to sign up for six years but I wanted to come out of the service with more than a ribbon and an old uniform. It turned out being the best decision of my life. I ended up retiring as a Chief Petty Officer and parlaying that early training into a career as a computer engineer.

I didn't receive a draft notice per se. I did get a change in status from student deferment to 1-A during my third year of college, soon after turning 20-1/2 years of age (the normal time for draft notices to be sent). Since I was a week away fro Spring break, I visited the Army recruiter to see what they would offer for medical training, but they guaranteed nothing. So I went to the Navy (my preferred choice anyway). He was full, but as soon as he learned so had two years of college, he bumped me into a delayed entry program and guaranteed the medical field. I finished my junior year, got a summer job, entered the delayed entry program in Juky and shipped to boot camp four months later.

I supported the war effort, even though it was apparent the politicians were screwing it up. I also knew I was entering a high risk occupation as a Navy Corpsman but also knew I would benefit in the long run.

I have no regrets.

I wasn't drafted! Being a 17 year old kid, I volunteered and I would do it again too! I actually quit school to go to Nam. I did finish college when I got back.

It was 1966, was age 19. I had dropped out of college to get married, moved off the farms & lived in the inner city. Having had two fathers and uncles who served in WW II and Korea, and having school mates who were already serving ( and a couple KIA) I was not suprized. My new bride was afraid and worried. Instead of waiting, choose to volunteer and the Air Force was willing to take me. Thought volunterring might get me into a job I might like verses one I would not like.
-- I accepted that the march of communism needed to be stopped.
-- Parents never advocated for or against the war.

When thing were looking like a draft notice would be soon forthcoming I made a decision to go down to the Federal Bldg and talk with the various recruiters. All the services, except the Army and Marine Corps had lengthy waiting lists. My dad encouraged me to talk with the Army recruiter in the off chance that I could choose an MOS I would like to pursue. So, I did go to the Army, negotiated a commo MOS (31M). In retrospect I feel I was sold a bill of goods by the recruiter and shown the entire picture. As I learned after AIT 31M was a very critical MOS and 31Ms were in high demand in Vietnam and Korea. The recruiter told me that by enlisting I would have a much better chance of not going to Vietnam. After signing my enlistment contract I was assigned a date to meet at the Fed Bldg at 0500 for a bus ride to Oakland for a pre-enlistment physical. Some 2 or 3 weeks later I received a letter ordering me to return to that same Fed Bldg again at 0500 for a pre-induction (translate: draft) physical. What was interesting, the results of various tests were different on the two physicals. But, my enlistment date rolled around with no further contact from my local draft board. Again, report to the Fed Bldg at 0500. I think they had something about 0500 that should have been a hint of what was to come. Ended up back in Oakland for 2 days until we were flown to Sea Tac for a marvelous all expense paid 8 week visit to the Pacific Northwest compliments of the US Army and Ft. Lewis. By the way, it rained everyday during basic except the one day that is snowed. The rest was to become history. Ironically my draft notice arrived at my parents home while I was already in Korea. The feds really had the records organized in a very peculiar way. My dad responded for me but that did not prevent the FBI from coming to my home some months later looking for my draft dodging ass.

While do not normally feel young from the questions on RP, I do want to thank you COL Mikel J. Burroughs for doing this with this question. While alive, I was 9...but almost 10 when it ended. For the record, me and my friends spent most day training for what we knew would come...or cowboys and indians but that was kind of the same as playing Army if you really think about it?

I was in the field in Vietnam, when my draft notice arrived. I has been in country forgive months, actually got shot a month later. I begged the CO of the company to let me fly home and straighten out the matter, but he refused, and said it would be taken care of.

When I was 18 1965, I registered for the draft. Dec 1966 I enlisted in the Navy and they swore me in for the delayed entry since it was almost Christmas. April of 67 I was ordered to report for to Ft. Hamilton Brooklyn for transfer to Great Lakes RTC, and while in boot camp I got a letter from my Father saying my draft notice had arrived at home. I told my father that if they wanted me they would have to get me out of Navy Boot camp! I still have that letter, and I ended up spending 23+ years in the Navy.

I joined in September 75. I was 17, in the end of 76, after I turned 18 (July) I got a notice that I had not signed up for the draft and could be arrested. I showed it to my supervisor, who sent me to the 1SG and Commander. They laughed with me and sent me to JAG, who prepared a letter and sent it off clearing me of the issue.

I never received my draft notice, my parents did. My mother of course called the local draft board and said there must be some mistake as I had enlisted, attended flight school, and was in my ninth month of service in Viet Nam. The gentleman according to my mothers letter said there was no proof of my service so my name would be turned over to the authorities. With that my mother took my citations that I had sent back for the SS and 3 DFC"S . and asked if that was proof enough. Not stopping there she asked the "jackass" (her words ) when had he served? You guessed it. Never.