Before the lottery was implemented in the latter part of the Vietnam conflict, there was no system in place to determine order of call besides the fact that men between the ages of 18 and 26 were vulnerable to being drafted. Local boards called men classified 1-A, 18-1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first.
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Did high school seniors get drafted to Vietnam?
A high school student could defer being drafted until he graduated or reached the age of 20, whichever came first.Beginning in 1971, the deferment was changed so that a student could only postpone service until he’d finished the semester in which he was enrolled.
When did the draft age changed to 18?
November 11, 1942
On November 11, 1942, Congress approves lowering the draft age to 18 and raising the upper limit to age 37. In September 1940, Congress, by wide margins in both houses, passed the Burke-Wadsworth Act, and the first peacetime draft was imposed in the history of the United States.
What birthdays were called for the Vietnam draft?
A lottery drawing – the first since 1942 – was held on December 1, 1969, at Selective Service National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This event determined the order of call for induction during calendar year 1970; that is, for registrants born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950.
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.
Did college students get drafted during Vietnam?
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.
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 draftees serve in Vietnam?
two years
The draft was far from ideal as a source of military manpower. Because draftees served only for two years, it was not worthwhile putting them through long training programs. The technical specialties had to be filled with volunteers.
Did 16 year olds fight in ww2?
In 1943 and 1944, 16–17 years old teenagers (born 1926-7), many from Central Asia, were conscripted. These soldiers served in secondary units, not combat. Many were sent to the Far East, to replace units sent to the German front. After training and coming of age, these youth were sent to the front too.
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.
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 year was Vietnam War?
November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975
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.
Can you be drafted if you are the only son?
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.
What conditions make you ineligible for the draft?
The Diseases and Infirmities Exempting from the Draft.
- Manifest imbecility.
- Insanity.
- Epilepsy.
- Paralysis, general or of one limb, or chorea; their existence to be adequately determined.
Did going to college get you out of the draft?
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.
Could two brothers serve in Vietnam at the same time?
During the Vietnam War, it was rare to see two members of the same immediate family serving in the same unit while “in country.” “There were a lot of brothers who served in Vietnam, but not at the same time,” said Jim, who now lives in Topeka.
How many draftees died in Vietnam?
(66% of U.S. armed forces members were drafted during WWII). Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam. Reservists killed: 5,977 National Guard: 6,140 served: 101 died. Total draftees (1965 – 73): 1,728,344.
Who is exempt from the draft?
Ministers. Certain elected officials, exempt so long as they continue to hold office. Veterans, generally exempt from service in peacetime draft. Immigrants and dual nationals in some cases may be exempt from U.S. military service depending upon their place of residence and country of citizenship.
What are the draft ages?
Present – The U.S. currently operates under an all-volunteer armed forces policy. All male citizens between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register for the draft and are liable for training and service until the age of 35.
How long was a tour of duty in Vietnam for draftees Marines?
two years
Conscription legislation limited a draftee’s tour of duty to two years.
