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 good laugh.....I received my notice in DaNang, Vietnam while serving the first of two tours with the SEABEES!....
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I was at Da Nang Vietnam also at the Air Base in USAF in 1968-69 Was in the 366th Security Police Squadron then though on that base.
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I never got a notice because after I flunked out my first year at college (...now there is a story I ought to put in my profile, I suppose.) Anyway, since I signed up for 3 years in order to choose what I would train for, instead of waiting to get drafted when my II-S deferment went away; I happened to already be in AIT when the lottery began and loo and behold... 342!
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I never received a draft notice! I enlisted in the United States Army at age seventeen (17) in 1964 and I never registered for Selective Service. I got a nasty letter from my friends and neighbors at local draft board telling me that I had failed to register for Selective Service! To this day, I still think it was because of my car. I drove an old Nash Rambler that I referred to as Nash “Pervertable” because it was a four (4) door sedan where the roof stayed up but the seats folded down into a bed! I started laughing and thought “What can do to me cut my short and send me to Vietnam?” My hair was short already and I was in Vietnam!!” When I came home at age eighteen (18), I went down to the local draft board and I found out that they had sent my paper work to some office to the draft dodger office. I thought “screw ’em! What can do to me cut my short and send me to Vietnam?” I finally did register for Selective Service my card said “4-A Sufficient Prior Service”.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
PVT Raymond Lopez Thanks for sharing your story, experience, and serving your country!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I enlisted, but during basic there were three guys who were drafted in my platoon. They complained a lot, but that stopped after we had a blanket party for them.
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Cpl Vic Burk
Blanket parties! We had a few of those also. I remember the Drill Instructor peeking out of the window from the duty hut watching us one night. When we realized he was watching and we stopped he quickly closed the blinds and we continued on with the party. It cleaned that dude's act up real quick.
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Christmas Eve day 1966. Kind of took the shine of Christmas. I had dropped out of college because I thought it was useless (today I have an advanced degree) and had looked into joining the Air Force. It was harder waiting to get drafted than getting drafted. It was kind of a relief. It looked like a great adventure. I supported the war and the goals and objectives of our nation. Living the San Francisco Bay Area I was fully familiar with the anti-Vietnam crowd. I had absolutely no respect for them or their ideals; they looked like cowards to me. I proudly, honorably and successfully served my 2 years in the United States Army.
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SP5 Bob Rudolph
CW4 Jim Webb - Thank you. All we did was what was asked of us. Fortunately I was not asked to die, but my comrades that were asked will never be forgotten.
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I joined the Navy on my 17th birthday in 1962 - Nam was just starting to hit the news. 50,000 Plus Americans died due to the idiots in Washington, DC. When you fight a war, you destroy the enemy and his resources............same as in Korea, Irag and every damn war since....KEEP THE DAMN POLITICIANS OUT......................................
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PO2 David Allender
LBI increased the military in that war because the they thought there had been twp incidents in the Gulf. McNamara came out about a year before his death with the"FOG OF WAR" in which he corrected that there was only on incident. he was apologetic about it, but 58,000 people died because of a lunatic running a war, who had never served in war. Just like another iniot ia about to start a nuclear war, who chickened out of NAM. I hope the dummies that voted this guy into office get drafted! That is just what will happen in a NUCLEAR WAR.
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LCDR (Join to see)
I was already on active duty when LBJ accelerated things for us in Southeast Asia. I agree he was a lunatic.
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I didn't receive a draft notice, at the time the draft lottery was going on, this was in 1970. I saw my number coming up. I had a college deferment, but I went ahead and buddied up with my best friend. We both joined the Marines and underwent boot camp together.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
My Mom's aunt also was a Navy CPO that spent 30 years on active duty that included WWII, Korea and Vietnam. She is buried next to my mother who died at age 92, Her aunt had made it to age 95. My Mom's brother is also buried there and was a Sergeant in the U S Army, Korea. My Dad, aged 95 now and doing well was a WWII Navy Veteran and was recalled to active duty for Korea. My Dad still living in the same house I grew up in four miles from Me.
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My father was a Korea War era Vet that was in the Army and he told me he was always proud of my decision.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
CPO Bob Kinnie My father was a Korean War veteran as well and just passed away on October 7, 2016 at the age of 85. He was proud of my 37 year career as well. He was also a Purple Heart recipient.
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