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 >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 927
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Never got one. I was already enrolled in AFROTC and they did not bother to send a notice.
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My draft notice was sent to me while I was in Basic Training. I handed it to my Drill Instructor. I have no idea of what happened to it after that. Never gave it another thought!
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I enlisted in 1969 and retired in 1993. I felt sorry for the draftees and college grads in my boot camp platoon, the DI's were really hard on them
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PFC David Cox
I was drafted in late '63 out of college and was called a "college puke" in basic but ended up becoming a sergeant of the platoon I was in. One of the initial "boot" platoon sergeants couldn't hack the physical training (he was ex Air Force) and was discharged. I wrestled in college and thought basic was an excellent physical training program so enjoyed every minute of the eight or nine weeks. Told a sergeant in my duty station (Verona, Italy) to "kiss my a**", so stayed a PFC for the duration (bad move on my part!).
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Fortunately I never had to deal with or was forced... An ALL volunteer force by my time!
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MAJ Hugh Blanchard
Yes, that's a bit too early. I've known a few 15 year olds who could pass for 18, but I still wouldn't anyone that young in the service.
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Didn't get one. Me and Joey next door had #s 7 and 40 in the draft. We went down and enlisted.
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SP5 Rick LaJiness
yep.....mine was #41...said they took everyone in April of 72....so thought they missed me.....got mine in July of 72
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I graduated high school in '82, making me too young for the draft, but we were required to register. I took care of that literally on my 18th birthday. A few months later I enlisted under DEP, and by FEB 83 I was practicing push-ups in Basic.
CUT TO: four years later, a buck sergeant out on terminal leave, enrolled at Washington State, serving in the Guard as an infantry squad leader, and living in a dorm (basically a barracks for indulged children). I took out a student loan to tide me over until my ed benefits started to flow, and what did I get in the mail?
A notice informing me that I was violating the law by not registering for the draft.
CUT TO: four years later, a buck sergeant out on terminal leave, enrolled at Washington State, serving in the Guard as an infantry squad leader, and living in a dorm (basically a barracks for indulged children). I took out a student loan to tide me over until my ed benefits started to flow, and what did I get in the mail?
A notice informing me that I was violating the law by not registering for the draft.
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I didn't get a draft notice I signed up with the Air Force voluntarily. I wasn't thrilled about the war but I still felt it was the right thing to do.
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"It figures!" I had just returned to College after taking a year off. I had a nice place to live, a part time job on the campus, and finally understanding Calculus.
My stance on the war - not strongly opposed but not eager to go either. The casualty list published each day would often have one or two names of friends and acquaintance from High School who were a few years ahead of me. Dodging the draft was never considered - I was a military brat growing up and I knew it was my duty to serve.
At the time I got my draft notice I thought if I could join the Coast Guard I might get a stateside shore station close to a College where I could finish my degree and military service obligation at the same time. Alas, the Coast Guard already had filled their quota. The Navy was my only remaining choice (didn't consider the US Air Force, Army, nor Marines).
I enlisted in the Navy in May 1971 and delayed entry until October 1971 so I could enjoy the summer. After my four year hitch I returned to college and graduated in 3 years with a BS in Meteorology. Being a Vietnam Era vet, I got preference for hiring with the US Civil Service. I was employed by the National Weather Service for 37 years.
My stance on the war - not strongly opposed but not eager to go either. The casualty list published each day would often have one or two names of friends and acquaintance from High School who were a few years ahead of me. Dodging the draft was never considered - I was a military brat growing up and I knew it was my duty to serve.
At the time I got my draft notice I thought if I could join the Coast Guard I might get a stateside shore station close to a College where I could finish my degree and military service obligation at the same time. Alas, the Coast Guard already had filled their quota. The Navy was my only remaining choice (didn't consider the US Air Force, Army, nor Marines).
I enlisted in the Navy in May 1971 and delayed entry until October 1971 so I could enjoy the summer. After my four year hitch I returned to college and graduated in 3 years with a BS in Meteorology. Being a Vietnam Era vet, I got preference for hiring with the US Civil Service. I was employed by the National Weather Service for 37 years.
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