In 1965, a college education was no longer a get-out-of-jail free card for the Vietnam War.College undergraduate and graduate students were automatically awarded draft status 2-S–deferment for postsecondary education–and could not be forced to serve.
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What was a college draft deferment during the Vietnam War?
Throughout most of the Vietnam war men who were enrolled in college could obtain deferments that delayed their eligibility for conscription. Anecdotal and quantitative evidence suggests that these deferments were an effective though imperfect way to avoid military service.
Are college students exempt from draft?
Postponements. The following instances are eligible for postponement in the event of a military draft: High school students, until he graduates or reaches age 20, whichever occurs first. College students, until the end of the semester or, if a senior, until the end of that academic year.
Did high school students get drafted to Vietnam?
Of those, 1.8 million men were drafted, but not all went to Vietnam.A high school student could defer being drafted until he graduated or reached the age of 20, whichever came first. A college student could defer the draft on a year-to-year basis provided he made satisfactory academic progress.
What birthdays were chosen for the Vietnam draft?
On December 1, 1969, the Selective Service System of the United States conducted two lotteries to determine the order of call to military service in the Vietnam War in the year 1970, for men born from January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1950.
What happens if you get drafted in college?
Before Congress reformed the draft in 1971, a man could qualify for a student deferment if he could show he was a full-time student making satisfactory progress in virtually any field of study.Under the current draft law, a college student can have his induction postponed only until the end of the current semester.
Was the Vietnam draft fair?
The draft for the Vietnam War brought with it anxiety and anger to many American households.The draft was viewed as unequal because the working class man’s only choice was to go to war, while the wealthy men would go to college or enlist in the National Guard.
How long did you have to serve in Vietnam if you were drafted?
The majority of service members deployed to South Vietnam were volunteers, even though hundreds of thousands of men opted to join the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard (for three or four year terms of enlistment) before they could be drafted, serve for two years, and have no choice over their military occupational
Was there a Vietnam draft before 1969?
Lottery changes
The lottery changed the way men were drafted in two ways: The lottery altered the dates year to year. Also, prior to 1969, older men — those closer to age 26 — were more likely to be drafted.The last draft call took place in December 1972. U.S. troop involvement in Vietnam ended Aug.
Which president started Vietnam draft?
Legal authority for a peacetime draft came from the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in order to mobilize American civilian-soldiers in anticipation of entry into World War II.
Who was exempt from the Vietnam draft?
1. Be a Conscientious Objector. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mennonites, the Amish, and Quakers are all considered Peace Churches who are opposed to any kind of military service. They were allowed to serve in other ways, however, but in a civilian capacity.
Did the Vietnam War officially end?
November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975In January 1973, the United States and North Vietnam concluded a final peace agreement, ending open hostilities between the two nations. War between North and South Vietnam continued, however, until April 30, 1975, when DRV forces captured Saigon, renaming it Ho Chi Minh City (Ho himself died in 1969).
What number did the Vietnam draft get to?
Draft age men were assigned a number between 1 and 366, depending on their birthday. The lowest numbers were called first. This was all entirely at random. Of course, that didn’t stop some of those who were called to service from further avoiding Selective Service.
What was the highest draft number called in 1971?
N71 gives the results of the lottery held on August 5, 1971, for men born in 1952. The highest lottery number called for this group was 95; all men assigned that lottery number or any lower number, and who were classified as available for military service, were called to report for possible induction.
Can only son be drafted?
the “only son”, “the last son to carry the family name,” and ” sole surviving son” must register with Selective Service. These sons can be drafted. However, they may be entitled to peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.
Can you say no to being drafted military?
If you want to resist the draft and your parent support you, they can help by sending back, unopened, any mail for you from Selective Service.It’s a crime to lie to Selective Service or the FBI, but you have the right to remain silent. When they say, “Anything you say will be used against you,” they mean it.
How did they announce the Vietnam draft?
During the Vietnam War, young men gathered in college dorms and friends’ homes to listen to live TV and radio broadcasts of the U.S. Selective Service System drawing lottery numbers to determine who would and would not be drafted.
What was the average age of a US combat soldier in Vietnam?
Fact: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age.
How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam?
12 months
All US military personnel serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War were eligible for one R&R during their tour of duty (13 months for marines, 12 months for soldiers, sailors, airmen).
How do you avoid getting drafted?
Obtaining conscientious objector status by professing insincere religious or ethical beliefs. Obtaining a student deferment, if the student wishes to attend or remain in school largely to avoid the draft. Claiming a medical or psychological problem, if the purported problem is feigned, overstated, or self-inflicted.
When did Vietnam draft stop?
The last draft call was on December 7, 1972, and the authority to induct expired on June 30, 1973.
