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

I avoided the draft totally. I joined the Marines when I was seventeen!

My brother got a draft notice for the Army. His story is as follows: At AFEES he was being a smart ass with the Army and told them he wasn't going with them. They said he didn't have a choice so he left the office and the Sergeant followed him into the Marine Corps office when he presented his draft notice to them and said "If I have to join anything it will be the Marines." Of course the Marine Corps took him and the Army Sergeant said, "You can have him!" The rest is history.

I was an RA during the Nam war, I volunteered to join the Army and volunteered to go to Vietnam.

I was really happy problem I had was I was in Nam at the time and the old man would not let go home and answer the call. Took my notice and said he would take care of it. My folks lost family in WWII and did not want me in the Marines would not see me off. I just wanted to get out of the area I lived in and really did not know what I was getting into. Did not care I was on my own. Best choice I have ever made.

I laughed. I was in basic training. What could they do to me if I didn't show up? I had two friends to [and you want believe this] run out and get married. [Who in their right mind would do that?] I graduated high school is a guy who was 22 years old--he kept failing. After 4 years they told him, graduate or fail, we don't care. You will be drafted.

Nothing particular as I enlisted in the Air Force, graduated from High School in June of 1966 and in August was in basic training. I had been Cadet in Civil Air Patrol and also had attended a Military Academy with an Army ROTC program. my Dad a WWII Veteran who also served in the US Navy during Korea certainly encouraged Me as well. My mom's aunt ended up spending 30 years on active duty with the US Navy during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. No one needed to draft Me and I served in that USAF uniform for 22 years. I did serve in Vietnam in 1968-69. I addition I continued to serve in CAP, the USAF Auxiliary for over 40 years as did both my father and brother. I'm also very proud MY first relative arrived in Massachusetts in 1637 and in the British colonies served in the French and Indian War then later on the Revolutionary War served the United States up to Me in Vietnam. Had Dad, some aunts and Uncles that all served within US Navy, US Army and US Air Force. Raised by conservative Republicans in My family, both Mom and Dads side.

Actually my Mom opened mine...seems I was out of town at the MEPPS in Indianapolis raising my hand to be a blue-suiter that day. When I later called and she told me i told her to take it to the recruiter and let him handle it.

O Shit me too

I was happy my brother did not get drafted. I was 2 yrs behind him.
When I was in High School my whole class was totally outraged for the draft being dropped.
It was our duty to serve.

I never signed up for the draft - I enlisted at 17.

The guys I grew up with all registered and signed up immediately after high school , no one waited for draft notice for fear of getting an MOS you didn't want, literally from 69 to 73 , all of my childhood hood friends joined Army, Marines and one guy joined Navy