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

I was at Dong ha, just back from Operation Prarie I wrote them a nice letter advising them I would be happy to report to their office if they would arrange for transportation. They didn't respond, I think they got the message though as i filled in my unit which at that time was 3/4 and wrote a big FREE on the envelope

I never recieved a draft notice. I enlisted in USMC in March of 62, shipped 14 days after graduation in June.

Registered for the draft in January 1968. Had graduated high school in 67, but had not yet decided on college. Was working at an auto dealership and decided to attend a local community college to attain my 2S deferment. All went well until Christmas of 68 when I decided to not return back to my classes. Then came March 1969 and my 2S reverted to 1A and my notice to report arrived. Down I went to my Navy Recruiter and said something like “can you do something about this? I don’t look good in green”. After a bunch of tests he said he had a spot in the Advanced Electronics program - for a six year enlistment. The rest is history. Two years of ET A schools and numerous C schools, two years at a submarine commsta and two years aboard a fast combat support ship as Leading ET.

Received notice May 1968 -I decided to enlist in what was available at the time Army or Marines -my choice- the Army -- I don't like confinement to a ship or looking at water

I was three months as a W1 on my first tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Needless to say, I did not report. I wrote my father who had a great laugh. He knew two of the board members as personal friends and shared the irony.

The first thought was that it was inevitable. I had gone thru my pre-induction physical and was 1-A. This was before the ‘’lottery’;. All my friends were going within a month or so after. It was well known that if you enlisted, you’d get a much better deal, but you needed to move quick. A friend and I went into the city to the main recruiting office. He chose the Army, I took the Navy. We both enlisted. He ended up in Germany, I wound up in a fighter squadron on a carrier bound for S.E.A. I found I liked the travel and adventure and wound up spending 25 years.

I was a helo pilot WO1 in VN - sent it back with a letter saying I would be unable to attend. Never heard back.

I VOLUNTEERED to serve. My Father served honorably in the US Army as did my Brother. I did not have to be forced to serve my country. One of the best choices I ever made. I however joined the U.S. Navy. I was way down on the list to be drafted before others. I was #263. People in (262) other groups having a birth date other then mine would be drafted first. I have a very interesting story. I was born at 10:20 pm on 09/13. That group was pulled out of the bin on the 263rd dip. Unluckily for those born on 09/14, that number drew the first lot. Whew!! Did I dodge a bullet. Had I been born just one hour and 40 minutes later I would have been number 1 in the draft. I even thanked my Mom for this fortuitous birth before 09/14. True story. I would have probably been drafted eventually down the line, after 262 other groups were drafted. I had a choice. Be drafted and go fight in the Jungle OR volunteer and choose my branch. I ended up off the coast of Vietnam anyway and also ventured in country a couple of times. I served on the U.S.S. Henry W. Tucker as a "Deck ape" and a Hospital Corpsman striker later becoming a Hospital Corpsman. After my service I worked for the Federal Government (VA) for over 25 years and now am retired on a government pension as well as compensation for a 100% unemployable disabled service connected disability. I would do it all again. As I said, it was one of the best choices I ever made. Lastly, I was given a physical before enlisting and was rejected. Lazy eye, flat feet, congenital heart defect and very obese. I had to get signed waivers from several physicians and had to enlist on condition of losing weight or being discharged, in the Medical Remedial Program. I LOST weight in boot camp and I DID slim down. I served honorably (enlisted for 6 years). My other conditions didn't really interfere with performing my duties. I was a lazy eyed,flat-footed fat sailor in the beggining and the Navy made me a mean lean fighting machine. Oooh Rah!

My Number was 63 so I knew I would be getting a call to report. Since I had suffered a broken neck and compressed vertebrae in my back I did not think I would have to go. To my surprise I passed the physical which really was a joke. No hernias or flat feet your good to go. I thought about it and decided I did not want to go to Canada and work for relatives so I enlisted so as to have a choice.

Never did get one, and never signed up for the draft at 18 years old. I was already in SE Asia on my 18th birthday, having volunteered for the Navy at 17 yrs. old. And did not sign up for the draft until I was 21, and rated 4A.