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?
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 927
Here is another perspective on the question.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/opinion/what-it-was-like-to-be-drafted.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/opinion/what-it-was-like-to-be-drafted.html
Opinion | What It Was Like to Be Drafted
Fifty years ago this month, I boarded a bus to Fort Dix — and to war.
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I took the bus to Norfolk the next morning with one change of clothing and told my Mom to wait 3 days before calling them to tell them I had joined the Navy. I walked into the recruiting office and said "sign me up". I almost aced the test they gave me. I was on a bus to the Richmond processing center that night, paperwork and physical the next day, and RTC Great Lakes the next. First duty station? Cam Rahn Bay.
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I had a high draft number, for which I was grateful, as my intention was to enter the military as a Chaplain, which I did. My dad was a retired CW4 so military service was always in our family a good thing.
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LtCol George Carlson
As you should have read, a lot of us who volunteered got frat notices anyway. I was on a military reserve deferment (I-D) from 6 Nov 1963 to 7 Jul 1968 when I came on active duty. My notice to report letter came in April 1969.
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Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire
All you guys who actually got notices even if you volunteered or not were 18, am I right?
I was 17 when I enlisted, and placed my boots in the Nam on my 18th Birthday! And yes I finished my education and college after I was discharged.
I was 17 when I enlisted, and placed my boots in the Nam on my 18th Birthday! And yes I finished my education and college after I was discharged.
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I had a low number, so I knew I was gonna be drafted. So I went down to see the USAF recruiter and he gave me the AQE test among others, which I passed with 95s... I went home to think about it and got my notice a few days later. I called up the recruiter and asked him what I should do. He said since I had taken the tests I should just join the Air Force, which I did.
After basic I was sent to electronics school at Keeler AFB, where I was able to wash through all my classes and get stationed at Griffith AFB where I fixed the air navigation and radar guidance equipment aboard B52 and KC135 tankers... I froze my butt off in upstate NY, even though I had volunteered for SE Asia...
While I was not an enthusiastic volunteer, I came to value what I learned in the USAF and has served me well all my life. And now I've found it was more than worth it due to my VA benefits.
To the guys suffering from PTSD and was injuries I tip my hat. You carried the load for all of us "lucky" guys. You have my admiration and respect.
After basic I was sent to electronics school at Keeler AFB, where I was able to wash through all my classes and get stationed at Griffith AFB where I fixed the air navigation and radar guidance equipment aboard B52 and KC135 tankers... I froze my butt off in upstate NY, even though I had volunteered for SE Asia...
While I was not an enthusiastic volunteer, I came to value what I learned in the USAF and has served me well all my life. And now I've found it was more than worth it due to my VA benefits.
To the guys suffering from PTSD and was injuries I tip my hat. You carried the load for all of us "lucky" guys. You have my admiration and respect.
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MY draft # was 360 I enlisted I went through Basic with the last batch Of draftees August 72. I never worried about my Draft #.
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