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 4 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 917
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I was 17 and in basic when rhe draft end we d. I never even registered for the draft.
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Wasn't old enough for draft (17) Didn't register for draft till came back from VietNam at 19 years old. Had to show my DD214
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I was in Boot Camp MCRD San Diego (Hollywood) my Mother forwarded it thinking it might be important. Drill Instructors had a good time with that one, at my expense, for days
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Suspended Profile
I'll just bet they did!! I, too, was a Hollywood Marine. We had some guys in our platoon (1966) who were draftees. Poor slobs!
GySgt Thomas Lieb
Just ran across this old exchange, by accident Man oh man boot camp memories Semper FI Gunner
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Never received one myself. I was in boot camp a month after graduation and my 18th birthday. I had registered when I turned 18. My parents never guided me in my decision. Mom of course wanted me to follow and older brother who went into the Coast Guard. They were closed the day I enlisted in the Marines. Marines were on my mind since I was like 13 anyway. No other service for me.
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When I received my draft notice in 1968 I was not surprised as I was not a student and was listed as 1-A by the draft board. I wanted a chance to pick my MOS so I walked into the army recruiters office with my draft notice. The staff sergeant laughed and said we already have you. He said if I enlisted for 3, 4 or 6 years he could give me my MOS choice as long as I qualified for that MOS. First he had to make a phone call to clear me to enlist as I had already been drafted. After being cleared I enlisted for 3 years active duty and 3 years in the ready and standby reserves to complete my 6 year
military service obligation. When I told the SSG recruiter I wanted my MOS to be military police he
gave me this nasty look which I did not understand at the time but I would later. In 1968 the Vietnam war had divided the nation and even families. My father was a world war II army veteran who served in the South Pacific in the war with Japan. He helped me understand what army life would be like but did not try to change any of my beliefs.
military service obligation. When I told the SSG recruiter I wanted my MOS to be military police he
gave me this nasty look which I did not understand at the time but I would later. In 1968 the Vietnam war had divided the nation and even families. My father was a world war II army veteran who served in the South Pacific in the war with Japan. He helped me understand what army life would be like but did not try to change any of my beliefs.
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Outright laughter, and relief, as I had enlisted in the Navy the day before.
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Deprived....I was on active duty the day after my 18th birthday. Since I was in the USAF within 5 days of turning 18 I did not register for the draft nor did I subsequently get a notice of induction.
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SSgt Jim Gilmore
SGT David D. - No, but my mom got a call from the Army recruiter I had been talking with and subsequently had fun jerking his chain some...
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LTC Thomas Tennant
The last draft notice was sent out around 1972. I would say it was way way before your time.... ;-)
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SPC Woody Bullard
SGT Mays, first let me say thank you for your service. You enlisted to serve America and
served with honor. Women have never been required to register with the Selective Service System and were never subject to being drafted into the military service. Only men ages 18 to 25 were required to register with the SSS to be placed into the eligible military draft pool. This is a federal law and would have to be changed by the U.S. Congress. Women did enlist in the military and served with honor during World War I and World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The men who were on the SSS eligible list were drafted into military service during this time period.
served with honor. Women have never been required to register with the Selective Service System and were never subject to being drafted into the military service. Only men ages 18 to 25 were required to register with the SSS to be placed into the eligible military draft pool. This is a federal law and would have to be changed by the U.S. Congress. Women did enlist in the military and served with honor during World War I and World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The men who were on the SSS eligible list were drafted into military service during this time period.
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I enlisted 1 week after high school, couldn't find a decent job being 1A, it was pre Gulf of Tonkin, so we were worried about the Fulda Gap, not SE Asia, I supported the actions of our nation, because at 18, everything is OK. My parents supported our country, even though they'd rather I be in college, they always thought I was doing the right thing. I spent 30 months in Germany, still have feelings of guilt.
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