Draft, and where would you go...?

Question

if there was a draft. Do we get to choose what branch we would like to go to. I mean there might be a draft; but probably not. An I want to join the military. But after school. Thanks for the answers.

Oh I don't mind going. I mean the first medal of honor for the USCG was in Vietnam. I was just curious. I mean I would like to join the USCG. But if there was a draft say next year before I join up. I was curious if I could choose the USCG. But also one more question say I am four months away from leaving college. Will I be drafted. An if I am can I be put on DEP? Also if I leave college, and was about to join; but then a draft came up. Can I sign up for OCS? Thanks.

If I was drafted that was what I was thinking either the Army, or Marines would be the only branches drafted into. So instead of, "Always Ready"; it will be, "Always Faithfull".

I am not saying I do not want to serve this country. I want to give back. This country helped me grow with my family, and religion. But I want to finish school so I have more experience to bring to the military. If there was a draft I'd like to finish college before I join. Thanks though for all the great answers.

Can someone ask a second question for me. If I am drafted, and finish college. Can I go to OCS?

I mean my grades aren't the greatest. it is tough. But I am getting through. Thanks for the answers.

My mistake. I knew it was in the Pacific. Thanks for correcting me.

Answer 1

There are a lot of ifs in your questions, but let me give you some input as I remember it. When drafted, about ninety percent of draftees go into the army, the Marine Corps will get about ten percent, if needed. The navy, air force, and coast guard get more volunteers than they can handle. Those who feel the selective service breathing down their necks will run to the other services to avoid the army.

While you are in school, the draft board will usually leave you alone, provided you are keeping up your grades. If, when you graduate, there is a draft, you will have time before graduation to make arrangements with the coast guard. You can defer active duty until you graduate, so that you can finish school and still have a shot at your service of choice.

OCS should be available to you if you complete your under graduate studies, but that is something only the service of choice can answer !

Answer 2

You would probably have a high chance of going to either the Army or the Marines. They're more of the ground troops, which is most likely what they will be in need of. Also, if you're in school, then I'm pretty sure you won't be drafted. Really though, just join the branch you want to be a part of, then whether or not there is a draft you won't have to worry about whether or not you'll get to choose.
Good luck if you do join. God Bless!

Answer 3

When the draft was in effect, many people had deferred status due to family situations, certain careers and school status. If your school records show you earning an "A" in Party 101 and a "C" in psychology you will be singing a different tune. "You're in the army now, not behind the plow..etc". Just seems to work that way with the local draft board. The draft seems to fill the Air Force, Navy and Marines with volunteers pretty fast and the Army gets the draftees.

Answer 4

It's highly unlikely that we will see a draft in the near or intermediate future. The military really doesn't want it. But hypothetically, if it happened you would not have much of a choice (during WWII even Marines were drafted). That said, if it were to happen you might get some choice by enlisting before your "number comes up" (it's done by lottery). But here is something to consider, if a war like WWII were to come along, you might not care where they send you because basically everyone goes.

Answer 5

If your drafted you have NO choice what branch you would go into.
I was drafted into the army in 1968 (age 18 1/2...yes, I'm old now...lol) and at that time only the army and marines were drafted.

On draft day they had us count off and I was number 8 (out of 40, in the front row) and after 20 had counted out, they said all odd numbers please step forward, you are now in the U.S. Marine Corp. so out of 40 of us, 30 went in the army and 10 in the marines.

Answer 6

My understanding, once you're drafted you do not have much of a choice of a lot of things. Thus the reason that some enlisted before they were drafted, they wanted the choice of branch, occupation, etc.

Me, I'd join the Air Force! or maybe the Navy.

Good luck in the future!!

Answer 7

They had the draft back in 67-68 when I joined up. When you are drafted you had no choice. Go Marines all the way!

Answer 8

A couple of things:
1. The ONLY man in the Coast Gaurd to receive the Medal of Honor was in WWII

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Munro

2. I don't know for sure about the Coast guard, but in the Army you need to be no older than 29 with 4 years of college under your belt.

Answer 9

I would answer the bell, but in my own way. I would enlist in the Navy before I got drafted, to be a chef on an aircraft carrier or something. Or maybe the Coast Guard. I'm sure even if you didn't want to fight, there would be acceptable choices.

Either that or "G'day mate!"

Answer 10

Apply to your branch of choice BEFORE you are drafted. The Marine Corp is a lot of fun.

Semper Fi