Posted on Mar 11, 2016
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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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?
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 927
MSG Thomas Currie
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Edited >1 y ago
I laughed then showed up for my pre-induction physical wearing Navy officer (midshipman) dress whites - hey it was summer - I suppose I could have worn Trop Whites, but what the hell. (And, yes, I was a Middy 3rd, in NROTC at the time).
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
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Not sure if I ever got one. If I did, my father probably took delight i taking care of it for me ....
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PO2 Steven Parker
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Edited >1 y ago
I never signed up for the draft. I had just finished A school in the Navy when I turned 18. I went to Vietnam three times. Flew in A-3' Then in H-3's After the Navy's 6 years did 2 in the Air guard and 30 years in the Army Guard.I retired after I was deployed at the age of 54. I did get to fly all but the 2 years in the Air Guard.I retired SFC.
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SGT Lou Meza
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I enlisted at 18 , at 19 I was already in Vietnam. Spent my last 15 months in Baumholder, Germany with the 1/13 Infantry. If I received a draft notice I never got it .
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SP5 Ray Bosnich
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I guess I should have read the entire question......... In high school I knew where French Indo-China was, but I didn't realize that it had been re-named Viet Nam. I was a little naïve about that. My MOS was in Military Intelligence and I soon learned the whereabouts of RVN but was assigned to a small post in Maryland. Not much chance to winding up in Nam. After a bit I volunteered to go there and was turned down twice. I finally did get the assignment. Upon my arrival there I wondered about the wisdom of that decision but once I got there and got to my assignment, I decided I had made the right choice. Still do. Upon my return, I found out that classmates of mine were still assigned at their original post. They were never transferred anywhere. Kind of a boring stint in my mind.
My support of the war was based on what I learned while there. I'm still convinced that we were there for the right reasons.
As far as family members trying to change my mind.....My dad was Airborne in WWII. My grandfather was a USMC lifer and Pearl Harbor survivor. My kid brother was the only one who spoke against the war, but he was 4F because his head was permanently locked in a rectal position. Like most people his age, he drank the Kool-Aid and listened to the rhetoric of his peers. He didn't challenge our presence in Nam that much in the presence of Dad and Grandpa.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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No worries SP5 Ray Bosnich - by the way I sent you a connection request a while back and you haven't responded to it. It shows you're still waiting for confirmation. Did you get the email notification Ray?
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CWO2 Darryl Craft
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I was in Great lakes , about to finish MM A school. I had tried to go in the army, but my dad wouldn't sign for me. After many discussion s he agreed to sign for US Navy, the military was my way out from the farm. I could not believe all the marches and violence against the war. I was ready to go!
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SCPO Ysmael Ramos
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One way ticket to your funeral. I grew up in Killeen, Texas. Most all our neighborhood was Army families. There was not a week go by that someone was KIA. I still have the original draft card intact. I will never forget that thought.
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PFC Mobile Gun System (Mgs) Gunner
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I never was drafted sir. Even if it were back when the draft was still good I would have still enlisted rather then wait for my draft notice.
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Cpl Howard Dingman
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1-A. My birthday had come up in the lottery in mid-200s for years, but came up in the top 25 the year I turned 18. Then they ended the draft. Never got the notice, but did enlist.
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SGT Peter Hayes
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I never got a Draft notice I hade my draft card and enlisted and swore in 74 and after the fall of Saigon I was placed on delayed entry. my Dad was proud my mom was a little nervous. I was the 2nd oldest of 9 and the only son to serve and the 1st to leave home.
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