In 1969, I enrolled in graduate school for a MA and PhD. I also went for a draft physical in the spring of 1970. I received a I-Y status due to damage of the left wrist from two previous fractures. This allowed me to complete my MA and PhD during the Vietnam war (1969-1973). I did feel relief that I was not called because my lottery number was 046. At the time I wanted to finish my graduate work. Since then I have at times experienced regret for not serving in the military. I have however spent 35 years in public service as a school psychologist. I spent 28 of those years in Fayetteville, NC. I also did some teaching at Fort Bragg in the evenings and weekends. In those classes I developed an appreciation of what military personnel went through. I enjoyed being their instructor. Most of the soldiers were working on a degree through their GI benefits. I also married a military brat who had traveled the world during her father’s career.
I have come to the conclusion that this country would be better served through a draft rather than a volunteer army. My father died three years ago at age 94. He was at Omaha beach during WW II. The VA was really good to him in his last 5 to 10 years, and the medications they provided were most appreciated.