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

I got a reminder after I enlisted also and then again when I was returning to civilian life AFTER I RETIRED and was reestablishing everything, I know our gov't wastes money, but really?!

I had been going to college but not doing so well. I went to the NAVY recruiter and took a test 3 times, I know I did well. Don't know why they didn't let me join then. Then one day, I got my draft notice, panicked and immediately called the Navy recruiter. I told him about the draft notice, and He said, come on in, we'll get you into the NAVY. Later, I was in and heard from a High School buddy who had joined the army,. On the Army bus, he said they called my name, ,and he said 'He joined the Navy' LOL..

It was 1973 and I thought I was going to Vietnam, I really didn't know what to do.

I wasn't doing well in school ,flunked out so to get some summer I volunteered for the draft and got an extra month . I spent my time partying went in July instead of June I wasn't scared no time in basic to think . After passing the test and being accepted to OCS I went to Ft Dix AIT , there in 1966 politics and war were a mixed mess and I became fearful . OCS at Ft Eustis again I was too busy to think

April 12, 1968 I opened it and read:
GREETINGS
Your friends and neighbors have selected you to represent them in the Armed Forces of the United States. Report at 7:00 AM on Tuesday...
I checked with my friends and neighbors. To my surprise, they denied having anything to do with the selection.. How could that be?

It reads:
Greetings
Your friends and neighbors have selected you to represent them in the armed forces of the United States. Report at the Pan Am building (WPB) at 7:00 AM on Tuesday...

I checked with my friends and neighbors and to my surprise, they denied having anything to do with the selection. How could that be?

In our little Indiana factory town, draft dodging was a disgrace to one's entire family. When a draft notice arrived, there was no question that service was an obligation of good citizenship. I went to Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division and continue to believe it was the right thing to do.

Was not drafted. Joined the USMC fpr fpur years.

Guess you could call me a draft dodger. I had graduated Navy boot camp and radio school when the notice arrived. My dad was livid. He took photos of me in boot camp and radio school and showed them to the draft board. I enlisted when I was 17, so never got around to enrolling.

VOLAR was in full affect when I registered for the Draft just after turning 18 and as a Freshman at URI (Fall of '73). Still something gnawed away inside and I eventually joined up (after speaking w/ Recruiters of the USAF, USN and USA). Served a bit over 30 (1976-2006). Stance was deeply rooted in Family history and genetics. There has been a Niles in Uniform since shortly after the mid/late 1640's (2nd American generation on, I'm 12th). Parents instilled the "Be, Know, Do"!