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

I was at work at Sander's 66 gas station and my Mom brought it to me at work. She said it looked official and I should see what it was all about. At nineteen years of age I had been drafted.

I watched the news every day on the war and cursed all the demonstrators religiously. I explained to my Mom that I had a reporting date and that I was going in the military. I reported to the induction station in Abilene, TX. along with 20 or so others. They told us to form a rank and proceeded to walk down the line tapping us on the shoulder and designating each of us as Army, or Marine. That's how it all started.

My stance on the war was it had lasted way too long and I had made up my mind that when the time came I would be there to do my part. We had learned about Communism in school and this war was preventing the spread of it in that country.

My parents didn't have an education and therefore didn't understand the politics of it but believed that we should all do our part as Americans and there you have it. The following twenty years I would repeat over again if asked to do so. No regrets.

I was already serving in Korea 1950 when I got my draft notice, it was only one a the very few letters I received

My response was just this Colonel...
I drove down to Phoenix from My little Home town in North Central Arizona and went into each Service's Recruiting Office and interviewed with each Service's Recruiters to see what was available in the way of Firefighting & EMS related Jobs. I was a Volunteer Firefighter EMT in My Home Town and I intended to spend My life in Service in that way to My Community and Nation!

In essence I decided if I had this, that I was "required" to do, I was by God, Going to do it MY WAY! So after evaluating the opportunities available from each of the Services... I enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard so I could be a "Life Saver" instead of a "Life Taker".

After boot Camp I spent My first Year loading explosives and munitions on Cargo ships bound for the theatre in South East Asia, after that I was sent to School and was trained as a Shipboard and Crash/ Rescue Firefighter/EMT.

I have no objection to Fighting "FOR MY COUNTRY, IN DEFENSE OF MY COUNTRY" but I believe I'll allow the people in other Countries to fight their own Wars.

The biggest problem that I had with Vietnam was that the politicians wouldn't allow the Military to fight the war and win it, If we're going to involve Ourselves in someone else's War... let the Warfighters call the shots and Fight to Win, If the Politicians want things done their way, then give them an AR-15 and a Bandolier of Ammo and put them in the front line! Other wise they can butt out!

I truly don't recall what My Parents stance was regarding the Vietnam War, we owned a wholesale Food & Beverage distribution business and they were consumed with servicing Our Customers.

Although not male...my birthday was #2 in the pick. I enlisted in the Navy and was one of the first women, other than a Nurse, to arrive at Roosey roads and the Atlantic fleet weapons range. I did my duty and served my country yet not "in country" as so many of my brothers did including my husband.

When I received my draft notice, I chose to enlist, i toss my draft notice in the trash and went to the marine recruiter and joined, i thought if i wanted a chance of surviving, i would take my chances with the marines, after watching the news daily. being the sole survivor of my family name. drafted in Boston.

I threw it in the trash. Several months later I decided I didn't want to be drafted, I wanted a choice......I volunteered (1966) for Comm. Center Spec. AIT, and Jump School.....I learned some things at AIT...and had many "BLASTS" with the 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION (was the NCOIC COMSEC, 82nd ABN. DIV. 1968-1969) . At my current age (72 Y.O.) I am still AATW.

Draft notice! I laughed! I was a draft doger after having enlisted and gone to Thailand during the Vietnam War.

I lied and joined the Army at 16 and had already completed my three year enlistment when I received my draft notice.

I enlisted in 1985
:-)

I got one and actually knew it was coming, since I had quit school. I had to have a long sit-down with my Dad. The Vietnam situation bothered him a lot. We lived on Lake Erie and had relatives in Ontario. Dad assured me that he could get me to Canada. After a long evening, I decided that 2 years was a reasonable cost to stay in the states. I reported, was anointed an 11B, did my training and my time, did my Nam time, and lived happily ever after. It was never a HUGE deal. In ‘67 it was just what happened.