I've been reading about the lottery to draft into the vietnam war. What was it like waiting to see what birthdates were drawn? What was your experience? And THANKS to all those who served.
2007-10-02 05:09:34 · 8 answers · asked by born_in_newmexico 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The first year my birthday was drawn 366 and I was 17. The second year my birthday was drawn at number 13 and the draft board in my county was only taking 19 year old people. The third year it was number one and I got that damn letter. I knew the return address so I took my young hide down to the US Coast Guard recruiter and volunteered to be a life saver. I saved 27 lives over 6 years of service and crewed on the ship for 293 other rescues. Some said I was a draft dodger and some said a baby killer for serving at all. I am proud of my service and would take nothing at all for it.
They told us we had to go out, they never told us we hand to come back from trying to save your life.
I had three shipmates who did not come back. One was killed during an anti-narcotic bust. E4 and above are federal law enforcers.
Edit: I am a NM Puddle Pirate
2007-10-02 05:25:02 · answer #1 · answered by Coasty 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The night of the draft, I was a senior in high school. I sat with my family and watched on TV much as people will watch a lottery drawing today for $100 Million or something.
The numbers began and I kept waiting. One part of me wanted my number to come up early, and another didn;t want it to come up at all.
I was number 257 and had little change of being drafted that year. I did try and enlist in the Navy but a football knee injury kept me out - I was listed "4F."
Three years later I tried again and was able to join the Navy where I spent 9 years serving on submarines.
g-day!
2007-10-02 12:53:08 · answer #2 · answered by Kekionga 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I volunteered for the draft (two years whereas enlistment was for three) because I was tired of the Clinton type dodgers and Bush type rich-boy dodgers and wanted it out of the way.
If I had waited for the draft, my number would have been 366 (remember leap years were included).
It was not the first time a lottery was used for the draft.
2007-10-02 12:45:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The lottery didn't come into play until 1969 (for 1970 draft, I think). Many of us served before then. I beat the draft -- I enlisted.
2007-10-02 12:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by DaveNCUSA 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Every day of the year was assigned a random (by lottery) number. Hence the expression...
"your number is up". Frequently folk with low numbers went ahead and enlisted and a more advantageous branch of the military.
Keep in mind that the draft was only for the ARMY. But the other branches filled with low number draftees.
2007-10-02 12:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by FAITH C C 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
my number was in the mail -- joined the Navy instead
2007-10-02 12:21:32 · answer #6 · answered by de viking 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Joined "The Few" and became"A Man!"
SEMPER FI DEVIL DOGS
2007-10-02 12:26:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
no experience
2007-10-02 12:14:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋