What is a draft card?

Question

I'm writing about the protests against american intervention in vietnam and the burning of draft cards is mentioned

Answer 1

In the 1960s and early 1970s every male over 18 had to carry a card indicating their status for the draft. If they were 1A they were likely to go, 4F they had a medical exemption; 2S they were students.
Even today males over 18 have to register for the draft but no longer have to carry a card like they did in the 1960s.

By the way, new cards were issued every 3-6 months, so if a student burned their card, chances are it was an old one, not their current one. There were always extras.

Answer 2

It was actually called an SSS Form No. 2, Selective Service System Registration Certificate. It certified that one had registered with the Selective Service, gave the registration number and the date of registration.

Answer 3

There were two cards, a proof of registration and a classification card, that were issued to the men who registered.

(Some people still refer to the proof of registration issued now as a "draft card.")

Answer 4

It's a piece of paper you went to get ( or they'd throw you in jail ) down at the local draft board as soon as you turned eighteen. It gave your data on what kind of cannon fodder you'd make and whether or not you'd go quietly.