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?
What Would You Do
Warfare
Service
Vietnam War
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 927
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Didn't think much about it until I got the draft papers. Then I enlisted. Used to drink with a couple of recruiters always told them they would see me when I got the notice. At that time I thought the war was for good reasons. Now not sure. Didn't serve in Nam wasn't you cant win if you don't fight to win. Too many died for it to end the way it did. God bless them and their family's. And last part of the question. No my family didn't put any ideas in my head about the war. they didn't discuss it that I know of.
SP5
Terry Adams
US Army 1969-1972
SP5
Terry Adams
US Army 1969-1972
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I was amused as I was in boot camp (Great Lakes) doing service week (KP for you army types)... this was in 1963.
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I had already signed up for 3, and was in basic when my number came up...342
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Thank you to COL Mikel J. Burroughs and all of you who shared your draft and Vietnam war experience.
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A1C (Join to see)
COL Burroughs, you are certainly welcome, and I am delighted you asked this question.
The end of the draft in 1972/73 marked a tremendous change in the lives of American youth for those born after 1954 until now. For those subject to the draft, your life was one of uncertainty. You could not get a good job. If you had a girlfriend, it was a tenuous situation at best, and if you wanted one, your chances were very slim. If you were lucky enough to be in college, you faced hatchet classes like English and Biology that had 50% or higher washout rates for males, but less than 5% for females. I always thought there was a conspiracy in the college system to cull out the draft eligible males.
Ron Winkles, MAJ, US Army (Retired)
The end of the draft in 1972/73 marked a tremendous change in the lives of American youth for those born after 1954 until now. For those subject to the draft, your life was one of uncertainty. You could not get a good job. If you had a girlfriend, it was a tenuous situation at best, and if you wanted one, your chances were very slim. If you were lucky enough to be in college, you faced hatchet classes like English and Biology that had 50% or higher washout rates for males, but less than 5% for females. I always thought there was a conspiracy in the college system to cull out the draft eligible males.
Ron Winkles, MAJ, US Army (Retired)
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I was too young. It ended the year I graduated from H.S. Oldest brother got high number in lottery and middle brother was a tad too young. They both enlisted later anyway. God Bless those that did get letters though. Many volunteered and many that were drafted served. Some chose to leave the country and I won't judge them because that is their private decision. Over 57,000 gave all they would ever have. Many were never even welcomed home, so Welcome Home to all that served. Just like the many before you, the Nation owes a debt of gratitude.
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Well, I never got one... But, I would say, what CPT Jack Durish said would be close... WTF...
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I had acquaintances/friends a few years older that might of got sucked up in the draft.. they kept their mouths shut, joined the AF Reserve and Air Guard just in case s'thing got hot in the next yeAr or so.. nothing did for them though, they all got high numbers and were all proud to have served, they wanted to do it on their own volition.. A few of them made it a career...
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