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 4 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 925
767
767
0
WTF! I had just graduated from Infantry OCS and stopped at home before taking off for Vietnam when I received mine. I dressed in my brand new 2LT duds and dutifully reported to the Draft Board at the appointed hour (0600) in Towson, MD. When the elderly lady at the desk asked if she could help me, I handed her my missive from the Draft Board. She scanned it and then looked up at me to say, "You are some kind of smart ass, aren't you?" I smiled and nodded, then did an about face and departed. Yes, I'm still that person today...
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LTC (Join to see)
Hilarious actually!
I was in company command in Iraq, on my 3rd deployment, 8 years on active duty, and the NG called me to muster in Hiedleberg, as Germany was my last known address…because I was stationed there and in command in the 172nd IN BDE. I was NG in college before commissioning thru ROTC and my 6 and 2 had long since expired. Had to tell the NG office, “well let me see if I can leave my company in Iraq so I can go muster in Heidelberg…”
Glad to see things improved from Vietnam to Iraq.
I was in company command in Iraq, on my 3rd deployment, 8 years on active duty, and the NG called me to muster in Hiedleberg, as Germany was my last known address…because I was stationed there and in command in the 172nd IN BDE. I was NG in college before commissioning thru ROTC and my 6 and 2 had long since expired. Had to tell the NG office, “well let me see if I can leave my company in Iraq so I can go muster in Heidelberg…”
Glad to see things improved from Vietnam to Iraq.
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353
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Never got one, I enlisted into the Marine Corps before getting any notice! I enlisted at 17 on a 90 day wait program because I did not want to get drafted into the Army. No offense brothers and sisters, I just wanted to be a Marine! I knew that I was eventually going to be deployed to Nam which I was. I was a hell of a bugle player and I always wanted to be selected to audition to play in the Commandants Own which after serving two tours in Nam in a Combat Unit, I finally got my chance. At least I fulfilled my dream!
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Sir, In high school, I knew that I wanted to join the Marine Corps as soon as I graduated. I felt that aiding South Vietnam was a just cause. My parents were both deceased, and my sister who I was living with did not want me to join. My friends all thought that I was crazy. I have no regrets over my decision. I never received a draft notice.
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1SG Frank Girona
I was surprised in April 1967. I just got to the USA,,from Barcelona Spain..Permanent resident(Green Card) I reported to the selective service, as I was told to do so..In sep 1967 I got the letter>>:Draft.. , I was sent to Americal Division, Chulai, Vietnam..7 month after. some one told to me, get ready, I will go to Honolulu, Hawaii to became US citizen. 4 soldiers including me went to Honolulu for 7 days. Until now, I do not know who did the paper work to became US citizen,,It was great after all. Good men..LBJ.
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Suspended Profile
re. Sgt T Hallock-
Thank you for the reasons you had for joining.
Thank you for the reasons you had for joining.
Suspended Profile
Sgt (Join to see) - Since you responded, I hope you don't mind if we can maybe correspond a little. I have so much to ask but I promise to try not to be overwhelming
Full disclosure, My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran and career Air Force, putting in 23 years. He was there in 1970-71. We stayed at Ft. Campbell, KY which was a waiting wives base. The Army took good care of us while he was away. I'm 62 so I was 11 and 12 at the time. He's gone now, died of prostate cancer. I served 4 years in the USAF 1977-81.
He never spoke about it much but I do know he didn't like what he was seeing or what happened. I also know he would have absolutely no desire or interest to become friends with the enemy especially at the expense of SV.
If I have any criticism of you guys (and I say that in no derogatory way) it's the nonchalant way the majority of you seem to have taken it over the years. First, there was the crushing emotional toll when Saigon fell and then years of confusion if I can put it that way and then the current attitude; win some lose some kind of thing.
I may ramble so please forgive me. Instead of blind fury, there's something else. And comensurating with NVA soldiers stateside, inviting them to tell their stories over some brews and snacks isn't practical or the right thing to do.
You guys know more than anyone what monsters they were and still are. And we were Saints compared to them. I don't say that with any hesitation. Not My Lai or anything was worse than their infractions. 10 times as many civilians died in the massacre at Hue than My Lai. There's a memorial for My Lai, none for Hue.
It's also an insult to the S Vietnamese who suffered, during the war, after, now and forever with the communists in power. Seeing an NVA soldier being greeted by our own and being given a celebratory welcome is a kick in the head for a SV soldier or civilian.
I'd like to know what your feelings are in establishing relations with the communist regime. It's been 25 years already but I don't think we should have, what are your thoughts? They have to be doing something for us or giving us something really special to make it worth it.
Before, we were criticized for wanting to help a less than perfect SV government and now it's Ok to work with the worst one in all of V history, the most corrupt, the most incompetent, the most repressive. Unbelieveable.
Unless the communists are funding scholarships for our veterans and their families or contributing to a general welfare fund for our V Veterans or making restitution to V refugees, there is no good reason to be friends with them.
We're supposed to feel guilt and shame but let it be for the right reason. We don't feel guilt and shame for failing, only for trying. But we had to try, it would have been much worse if we didn't try.
Thank you for you time.
Best regards.
Ron Romano
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Full disclosure, My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran and career Air Force, putting in 23 years. He was there in 1970-71. We stayed at Ft. Campbell, KY which was a waiting wives base. The Army took good care of us while he was away. I'm 62 so I was 11 and 12 at the time. He's gone now, died of prostate cancer. I served 4 years in the USAF 1977-81.
He never spoke about it much but I do know he didn't like what he was seeing or what happened. I also know he would have absolutely no desire or interest to become friends with the enemy especially at the expense of SV.
If I have any criticism of you guys (and I say that in no derogatory way) it's the nonchalant way the majority of you seem to have taken it over the years. First, there was the crushing emotional toll when Saigon fell and then years of confusion if I can put it that way and then the current attitude; win some lose some kind of thing.
I may ramble so please forgive me. Instead of blind fury, there's something else. And comensurating with NVA soldiers stateside, inviting them to tell their stories over some brews and snacks isn't practical or the right thing to do.
You guys know more than anyone what monsters they were and still are. And we were Saints compared to them. I don't say that with any hesitation. Not My Lai or anything was worse than their infractions. 10 times as many civilians died in the massacre at Hue than My Lai. There's a memorial for My Lai, none for Hue.
It's also an insult to the S Vietnamese who suffered, during the war, after, now and forever with the communists in power. Seeing an NVA soldier being greeted by our own and being given a celebratory welcome is a kick in the head for a SV soldier or civilian.
I'd like to know what your feelings are in establishing relations with the communist regime. It's been 25 years already but I don't think we should have, what are your thoughts? They have to be doing something for us or giving us something really special to make it worth it.
Before, we were criticized for wanting to help a less than perfect SV government and now it's Ok to work with the worst one in all of V history, the most corrupt, the most incompetent, the most repressive. Unbelieveable.
Unless the communists are funding scholarships for our veterans and their families or contributing to a general welfare fund for our V Veterans or making restitution to V refugees, there is no good reason to be friends with them.
We're supposed to feel guilt and shame but let it be for the right reason. We don't feel guilt and shame for failing, only for trying. But we had to try, it would have been much worse if we didn't try.
Thank you for you time.
Best regards.
Ron Romano
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