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

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.

I got a reminder after I enlisted also and then again when I was returning to civilian life AFTER I RETIRED and was reestablishing everything, I know our gov't wastes money, but really?!

I had been going to college but not doing so well. I went to the NAVY recruiter and took a test 3 times, I know I did well. Don't know why they didn't let me join then. Then one day, I got my draft notice, panicked and immediately called the Navy recruiter. I told him about the draft notice, and He said, come on in, we'll get you into the NAVY. Later, I was in and heard from a High School buddy who had joined the army,. On the Army bus, he said they called my name, ,and he said 'He joined the Navy' LOL..

It was 1973 and I thought I was going to Vietnam, I really didn't know what to do.

I wasn't doing well in school ,flunked out so to get some summer I volunteered for the draft and got an extra month . I spent my time partying went in July instead of June I wasn't scared no time in basic to think . After passing the test and being accepted to OCS I went to Ft Dix AIT , there in 1966 politics and war were a mixed mess and I became fearful . OCS at Ft Eustis again I was too busy to think

April 12, 1968 I opened it and read:
GREETINGS
Your friends and neighbors have selected you to represent them in the Armed Forces of the United States. Report at 7:00 AM on Tuesday...
I checked with my friends and neighbors. To my surprise, they denied having anything to do with the selection.. How could that be?