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

HAHAHA Fooled you, I'd already joined the NAVY!!!

My stance on the war was I'd hoped it would go on long enough for me to participate. Pretty much back to the Founding of our Country, I had ancestors who fought in our wars. My Dad, a Granddad and three Uncles served in WWII. One Uncle was a Merchant Seaman, the rest all Combat Vets in Europe. An Uncle and Granddad both received Bronze Stars for actions on June 6, 1944. So I felt it was my Duty and obligation to serve.

The one person I did NOT believe was Walt Chronkite, from the moment he said on national news, "The war in Viet-nam is unwinnable." I knew right then he was a liar and could not be trusted. Of course American Soldiers could win the war. Hell we beat Germany, Italy and Japan ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Some little Country we knew as French Indo-China shouldn't stand chance against American might and power.

My Dad had become a bit of a pacifistic after the War, not that I could really tell, however he fully supported me joining the Navy, even signed the papers so I could join up at 17.

I was about 2 weeks into my Air Force basic training when I got my notice. I gave it to my DI, he just laughed and then threw it away. Never had any problems with not showing up for my date. My Dad did get a call from the board, he explained where I was and I never heard a thing about it.

I never actually saw mine. I was at boot camp in Cape May when it came. My dad enjoyed taking it into the local draft board and dealing with it. I found out after graduation from boot camp as an "Oh by the way" moment.

They pulled 95 numbers in '71 and my birthday was not pulled. so I procrastinated till 1981 before joining the Army Reserve. had so much fun in a tank I went Active.

I attended college in 1965-66. But I flunked practically every class. I was kicked out and lost my deferment. I didn’t get my draft notice until June of 1967. It was, actually, my physical appointment in July. In August I got my notice to report in September. Everyone told me to join the Guard or Reserves. I had no interest in a six year commitment. Everyone was right. I did get sent to Vietnam Nam in February of 1968.
As a physically fit 20 year old I was sure I was invincible. My luck finally ran out in December of 1968. 55 years ago tomorrow. In retrospect, I think being drafted was one of the best things that ever happened to me. The Infantry wasn’t the easiest MOS but it might be the best.

I never got my draft notice. I joined after high school in August 1972.

I was 23, out of college with an associates degree from Wentworth Institute and was attending the General Electric apprentice program in Lynn, MA when I received my draft notice. I showed the notice to the manager of the apprentice program to inform him that I'll be leaving. He told me that he could defer me from the draft because we were working on military contracts. I refused the offer. I told my manager that I was deferred once before while attending college. I wanted to get it over with and just do my duty for my country. My draft notice was received shortly after the Cuban missile crisis. Ironically, after basic training and MOS training, I was ultimately assigned to operations central communications at a missile site in Korea. I made the right decision at the time, even though my military duty was hazardous. It was an incredible experience having the control of the communications for seven missile sites. Best of all...when I completed my service obligation, I returned to the apprentice program at GE. After graduating from the program, I was able to go on to college for a second time and able to obtain a full degree in Mechanical Engineering. It was all paid for by the GI bill. There was no way I could have afforded to attend college again if it wasn't for the GI bill. Making the decision to serve my country was one of the best decisions I made in my life. I agree that there was a risk but it sure paid off.

Well, when my number came up. well above 300, I had just finished EOBC and was working at FT Belvoir in th 77th EN CO

I wasn't drafted enlisted in the Marine Corps, Semper Fi

I was at the MEPPS in Indianapolis raising my hand for the USAF the day mine came. When I called home that night and my Mom asked me what to do, I told her ot take it to the local AF recruiter and let him handle it. Never heard anything else.