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

I received my notice while in my third week of basic. My Step-Mom had forwarded it to me. I asked my DI, "What do I do with this?" He responded, "we'll take care of this." I was lucky #13, found this out later when I ran into a pair of twin brothers who had the same birthdate as me, and had been drafted. I really didn't have a stance on the war, I was following family tradition of joining the military. Although my Dad was pissed that I had joined the Army. He was former Airforce. I figure if I was sent to RVN it was my duty. Did my tour in Vietnam, requested and received a transfer to Okinawa from there. I did just over seven years active and 22 years in the reserves. with plenty of active duty during my reserve time.

I knew because of the Draft in Massachusetts, that I was going to be Drafted. So After talking to my Command Sergeant Major Uncle, WW@ Vet, Korean War Vet and Vietnam Vet, I enlisted. About the 3rd week of Basic at E-6-2 Fort Dix NJ. My Mom mailed me my draft notice. I was the only RA in my Basic Training Unit.

I was only draft eligible for about eight months. While in college I enlisted in the Air National Guard and later earned a commission in the Air Force and spent ten years on active duty, including a tour in Vietnam. I never received a draft notice since I was deferred and later exempt due to active reserve and active duty status. I had considered the possibility of being drafted and had I not made other plans would have gone had it happened. I served on active duty from 1965 until 1975 and had a total of 31 years service including reserve and guard.

Never got a draft notice. I enlisted, while waiting at the introduction center in Milwaukee 2 Marine Sgt walked up to a bunch of us on a bench. A GSgt said you first 6 are now in the Marines. Well I stood up and looked him in the eye and politely stated I was not going to be a Jarhead! Well I could tell his blood pressure went to boil instantly. After his rant for 5min I advised this gentleman that I was RA not US and I was going to chopper training, I hoped the next time I saw him was pulling him out of the boonies and we could smile at each other. He smiled shook my hand and said he could handle that. Next guy on the bench was not happy.

I knew I would be drafted so I joined the Air Force Delayed Enlistment Program. I received my draft notice 1 week before leaving for basic training. I had no real opinion about the war and neither did my parents. I loved my nation and never spoke against it.

Rather surprized when I recieved my draft notice. Had all ready completed basic training.

I didn't get a draft notice. I joined up and went to OCS, after recieving my commission the draft board sent me my 4F card. Everybody got a good laugh about it. Found out that the reason was because you get discharged on graduation, then sworn in the next day. Any period of less than 180 days made you automatically 4F

Now, to explain my stance on the war. I believed in the war then, because I believed the USA could do no wrong and had been steeped in the propaganda that the only evil was Communism. My parents were proud of their sons for serving and never questioned the war in my presence.

After the war was over, I started learning some of the history of Vietnam. I learned about the three countries that comprised Vietnam before French IndoChina. I learned about Ho Chi Mihn and what his real motives were. I learned about the politics that so misguided our mission.

I'm proud to have serve and proud of all the military who served. In 2002 and early 2003 I begged President Bush on the TV to not go in to Iraq. But he and the TV did not hear me.

June, 1969 Graduation present from the US Government the draft notice. Father unhappy, mother enraged. As for me not unexpected. Years of TV news of the war with weekly body counts. No job offers, come back after you get your military taken care of. About half way through BCT at Ft. Ord the first draft lottery. My number, 366. The DI smiled.

I never got a draft notice. I joined before it arrived so I had my choice of MOS's.