December 1, 1969

[wdfifteen]

I try to take a minute to remember that night every Dec. 1st, but I missed the anniversary this year. Didn't remember it until last night.

#226
I stopped partying and got serious about my future, because it looked like I might have one. Changed my major from Sociology to Engineering for the next quarter.

[speeder]

Draft lottery number?

Sorry, I was ten years old at the time.

[Sooner or later]

my draw was on February 2, 1972

235

[flatbutt]

#155 for me but in 1971

[stevej37]

#66 was drawn for me.
Was ordered to report for my physical and passed it.

Two weeks later, Nixon started the troop reversal...so I never was contacted after the physical.

[GH85Carrera]

I was number 9 and 1A. They shut down the draft Jan. 27, 1973 just a few months before I would have been drafted. I had planned to join the Air Force and hope to be a photographer. I regret now never having served at all. If old me could go back in time to talk to young me I would have advised the service.

My older brother spent 6 months in a body cast when he was 14 and was 4F and had a lottery number that was 300+.

I think I still have my draft card somewhere in my papers.

[LWJ]

I was mastering #2 without a diaper.

[74-911]

I was in the 4 years of deferment to finish college group (unless you had bone spurs) then were automatically reclassified 1A.

Dec. 1, 1969? I was just into my second year as a E3 computer programmer at the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph AFB... I didn't realize it then but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

[Scott Douglas]

I still have my card.

I was 1A at the time. Drew 146 if I recall correctly. Got called for a pre-induction physical and passed. They went to #141 that year, if I recall correctly. I was registered at what was known as the hardest board to get a deferment since UCLA and USC were all in the area. IE, Lots of students looking to stay out of it.

When I told my neighbor, who'd been drafted earlier and went over to Nam, he said to try as hard as I could on all the tests, but don't tell anyone you're doing it. It was the only way to get ahead. I think he'd returned as a Sargent.

Now, in my old age, I look back at how uninformed I was about the whole thing. I was ready to go if called. My dad never said much about it to me. He was at D-Day and never talked about it. It changed him I do know that much. Mom said he liked to hunt before going in. Not so much afterwards.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I try to take a minute to remember that night every Dec. 1st, but I missed the anniversary this year. Didn't remember it until last night.

#226
I stopped partying and got serious about my future, because it looked like I might have one. Changed my major from Sociology to Engineering for the next quarter.

Would you have gone? Serious question.

[Sooner or later]

I would have. Dad was a vet. Brother in Law a West Point grad. Best friend growing up endied an Annapolis grad. Lived next door to Ft Sill.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Would you have gone? Serious question.

Sure. I didn't like the war in general and for sure didn't want to be in the Army or Marines. My plan, if I had drawn a low number, was to join the Navy before they could draft me.
My dad didn't like the idea. He lost his uncle in WWI, his father never recovered from lung damage in WWI (finally died when dad was 6), lost a brother in WWII, a nephew in Viet Nam, and himself permanently disabled in WWII and never properly compensated.
"I don't want you going over there. This family has given enough to this damn government."

[flatbutt]

I volunteered, twice. Once to enter boot camp at Lackland and the 2nd time when they asked who was volunteering to go to Viet Nam. My MOS was frozen for Nam but I stepped forward anyway. I didn't go, didn't even serve active due to my health however I was ready and willing but less than able according to the AF doctors. I tried contesting it with my Representative but he warned me that if I made too big of a stink I could end up with a General rather than Honorable Medical, so I caved.

[Fast Freddy 944]

I know Dec 1st...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

I would have. Dad was a vet. Brother in Law a West Point grad. Best friend growing up endied an Annapolis grad. Lived next door to Ft Sill.

Slightly off topic but I would have benefited from 4 years in the military.

My number was 225-ish. I got the card not long before the draft was ended.

[strupgolf]

I was 4f after signing up. Something I regret to this day. I have no idea for sure but it might have been my eyesight. It's something I miss every day, not having been able to serve in the military.

[A930Rocket]

I was nine, about to turn ten. I have to say I was oblivious to the war, other than seeing the nightly news and the protesters at city hall on Saturday in our little town. It didn’t register in my childish mind.

A few years later, I really started to appreciate those who served and still do.

[tabs]

I was 4F..adjucated mentally defective..i was too stupid to pass the IQ test. Just 4 points more and i could have become a general.

The military is great if you like hierarchial bureaucracies where you are told what to do and when to do it. Kind of like being a child who jhas to obey their parents.

[jcommin]

I still have my card as well. I remember that day. I had a student deferment. I was in college and I walked into the student center where my friends were reading the newspaper when one asked, "when is your birthday?" I told him and he responded "352". and then he continued: "352, F__k U" Shortly after, I dropped my deferment and was 1A.

I was anti-war at the time but I was very good friends with 3 veterans. I still have mixed feeling about the war. The politicians I have the biggest issues with and not those who served.

[Ziggythecat]

It was not a war worth fighting, let alone dying for
When I was 18 life was precious, then, as now.

I would have developed bonespurs or asthma.....,
No apologies for putting self survival over some Generals idea of how the world should be