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

Registered on my 18th birthday in "73"; by that time they weren't calling anyone up, so I never received a notice. After high school I joined the Army Reserves and attended college for a couple of years. Then enlisted in the Active Army and stayed till I retired after 20 years. Long time ago I got curious, did some research and discovered that I did have a lottery number of 326.

I enlisted in the Corps before they sent me a notice. As for parents putting ideas in my head, I am sure upbringing had a lot to do with my attitudes, but I've always thought for myself. And my thoughts on that war are the same now as they were when I went in. We were sent to do a job, and we did it. If there was "wrong" or certainly "dishonor" it lies with politicians sending men to war with no intentions of winning, and with the radical left who committed treason giving aid, comfort and support to the enemy. We could argue about the corruption in South Vietnamese politics or whether or not we should have went. It's a moot point! We did go, and we should have went to win- but that is on the politicians and not the military that we did not. Since we did go, we should have invaded and taken N Vietnam, dared the Chinese to cross the border as they did in Korea, captured the munitions sent by Russia and returned them to dissidents in the Soviet block countries.

My 18th birthday came several days after HS graduation. Within a month, I had reported to the USMA and was sworn into the Army. My memory falls a little short on the mechanics of my draft registration, but since my card indicates "ENL", it likely was several months later. It's not entirely inaccurate to say I had avoided (not evaded) the draft by attending an all-male vocational school in upstate New York.

I had just flunked out in my 1st.yr. Of college (64) so two buds and myself were debating on what branch. My dad was a marine and one of my buds was serving in the Navy. We questioned him and he said, the USCG. Away we went for 13 weeks. I got the Ninth District, Mike made CWO2. Spent a lot of time in Norfolk. Got out with 26 yrs. Steamed all over the world. Seen it all. Heart attack 3 yrs. ago. Other buddy spent 4 and died of booze. Never seen him again. Me 4 yrs, E-4. Never left the Great Lakes. Still wished I went in the Navy.

still got my notice,...when I looked at my Mom crying wondering what was going on, she just handed me the envelope...when I saw who it was from my ass fell to the floor and all I could think was awww sh**...my step dad kinda smiled( WW2 vet) and said..."Bet your ass gets a haircut now" as he puffed on his pall mall and sucked down his Pabst Blue Ribbon.....

Never got a draft notice. I enlisted. RA service number no US. Sorry as an army brat with 18 years of service, that is what I was meant to do. Glad and happy I did

Got my notice in March 1969. First thought was "Better head on down to the recruiting office". Being a totally unknowledgeable boob, I went with the recruiter's suggestion and signed up for something called "Stock Control & Accounting". During BCT was approached by the Army Security Agency recruiter and chose to go that route instead. Started out as a Morse Code Intercept Operator (05H). After 2 1/2 years re-up'd for 4 more as a Cryptanalytic Specialist (98B).

I enlisted, then went home and told my parents I would need to get up early. My Dad a WW-II Glider Pilot just said OK. My Mom kept telling me I should get out and go back to school...that I'd be hurt or killed...that I don't take orders well...She called my brother who was a O-3 having been in the 82nd Abn. Now in reserves. He just said OK. Then went on to tell me that basic would just be a mind game with lots of PT and yelling, do what you are told, when you are told, and do it to the best of your abilities, think through volunteering (make it work for YOU), call and write often. So there I was a 18 year old, ready to take on the big green machine. During my enlistment I learned much about myself, people, and the skills of a soldier. I did eventually go to school; but the Alumni I am most proud of is my DD-214.

I had just returned from bumming around Europe with a friend, both of us expecting to be drafted soon. In 1968 a 19 year old boy did not have to dwell on his future very long before his Draft Board decided for him. Either you were in school with a deferment, married with dependents, or you faced the draft. My draft notice arrived while I was away and when I returned my dad handed it to me, and being the consumate Democrat, said "See, a Republican get elected and you get drafted," as if, somehow, Nixon getting elected and me being drafted were somehow connected. I reported for induction in Feb. 1969, when they were still drafting into the Marines, and after passing my pre induction physical, I was rejected for service. and sent home. I was devastated and had no Plan B. I wangled a second opinion from a contract physician to the entrance and examination station and was marked as Fit For Duty. My second draft notice arrived and I was ready to go. The local Air Force Recruiter called my house and asked if I knew I was on the Hot Sheet for the draft. I told him was aware and wanted to go. He told me he had a recruit who was ready to go, but decided to go into the Army for 3 years , rather than the Air Force for 4 years, and would I consider enlisting. I said of course, and signed the enlistment paperwork. I was supposed to be a clerk typist, but took a by pass test as an Aircraft Structural Repairman, which I did before enlisting. It lead to a 28 year career, which I would not trade for anything.

I was on the road with "Up With People" when my father called telling me I had a draft notice. I rapidly gathered my gear, flew home, where my Dad picked me up at at the airport. We went to a coffee shop near the recruiting station waiting the 0800hrs opening. When we went in, the AIR FORCE recruiter asked when I wanted to go in, I said YESTERDAY! He then asked if I had a draft notice, I answered "Oh no"! I was processed that day, flew to Lackland AFB, not mentioning my deception for seven years (statute of limitations). I found what I had done was legal, but it was way too late by then.
I had been issued (born) at Brooks Army Medical Center so my Father requested a hand receipt to get me off his Army issue records. I retired an E-7 22 years, 7 months, 10 days and 3 hours later.