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

Sir, I was still in high school, but joined the Army in 1974 and left for boot camp 8 hours after graduation. I was just a young punk kid that didn't know what I was going to do until my JROTC Instructor talked to me about the Army. I talked to my mom and she said she wouldn't sign the paperwork and I replied "You can sign them or I turn 18 in October and I'll sign them myself." So she signed them and I left for boot camp at Fort Knox KY in June 1974. No regrets what so ever. Took that punk kid and made me the man I am today.

Flunked out of college in one year, 1967. Had three quarters with high GPA of 1.7 and low of .7. Bye, bye deferment. Everyone told me to join the Reserves or Guard but I was not interested in a six year deal. So I decided the draft was only two years and I could do that. Became 1A in May, got physical notice in June, draft notice in August and left for Ft Campbell in September. Ft Ord next then Schofield Barracks before entire unit went to VN in Feb or March 1968. Americal Division A/4th/21st.
Put in 21 months by getting a three month early out to return to school. Used GI Bill to get undergrad and MBA.
Even though I was shot in 12/68, the time was worth it. GI Bill was great as is VA comp. And access to the terrific VA hospital in Twin Cities is also great.

Old man and I had the same name, no "Jr." "Sr." or numbers. I'm a SGT, sitting on a mountain top in Vietnam and got a letter from home. Short note from the old man, "This is yours, I thought they were telling me I was no longer re-callable."

Wasn't exactly my draft notice, it was a threat that if I did not appear for immediate induction, because I had not registered with SS (I was 17 yrs and 361 days old when I enlisted), I would, whenever apprehended, be detained for a Federal Court hearing.

Took it to my OIC, who handed me a beer and said "F 'em! What are they gonna do? Take away your birthday, bend your dog-tags and send you to Vietnam?"

Good point. Until about a month later, these two white shirts showed up looking for me, carrying FBI creds.

My feeling was I must be some kind of important person The Government needs me.Iwent around showing a few people My Draft Notice and they all told me I better go down Town to Sign Up.My view of the war was My Country need me, let me sign up,And Do my part, and I wonder what would I be doing.I was thrill and I had the ultimate Job to tell my school and guidance counselor about.I was willing to go right then and there but they told me I needed to Finish the 12 th Grade
And I graduated with 2-3 more credits than I needed,I wanted to make sure I go Drafted.There was nothing after High School around home,This way Iwould see the World

Utter SHOCK, followed by Absolute Fear, followed by "What tha Hell, Let's Kick some A**". After all, I was an Army brat. Grandad was an Army Maj. Dad was an Army First Sargent...

I never received a draft notice. I enlisted in the National Guard about nine months after I became draft eligible and was on extended active duty commissioned after I graduated college. I served a total of 31 years combined Guard, active and Reserve service. I don't regret serving--it helped me achieve things I never could have dreamed of otherwise. And--had I not chosen to do as I did--I would have either enlisted or chosen to be drafted when the time came.

I beat them to it also, I was in boot at the ripe old age of 17 and 4 days. I did stay for the full 20, had its ups and downs but would do it all over again. I and do understand it was not for everyone, but the ones that at least stayed for the 3 or 4 year hitch did learn a lot that helped out later in life.

I got mine while in basic. So decided to have a bit of fun with my Sr DI. I reported to the SrDI and told him I had to go to Iowa by Friday. He looked at me and asked why, I said, "I was just drafted". He did not see any humor in my stunt.

Run down and become Regular Army

I had to dodge the draft as best I could back in '71. So I enlisted in the Air Force as soon as I returned from visiting family in Mexico. Went thru BMT, tech school and got my orders for SEA (Thailand). Half way thru my tour, I was called into the 1st Sergent's office, which led me to believe my life was over. Reporting to the 1st shirt, he held up an envelope with a DOD stamp on it. It also had the Department of the US ARMY on it. FUBAR came to mind. I opened it and it was my draft notice! The 1st sgt said I had to go explain to the ARMY recruiter down the road at the ARMY's base at RAMASON.
So since I didn't have a driver's license yet, one of my shopmates would take there. We drove down in civies with me thinking I would have to change my enlistment to the ARMY! We arrived at RAMASON and found a building with a big sign outside saying REUP ARMY out front. I walk in and this ARMY E8 welcomes me in. He pulls out enlistment papers (smiling from ear to ear) probably thinking of whatever bonus he'll be getting outta this. He asks for my ID and passport. I place my mklitary ID on his desk and the smile disappears faster than the Road Runner from the coyote! "Damn, that's f!.#ked up! Needless to say I remained AIR FORCE for the next 18 1/2 years.