I graduated from high school in 1966 at the age of 16. Entered UNC that fall and flunked out by the following autumn. After two years of junior college during which I held a 1A draft status, I was in the first lottery in the fall of 1969 while at Western Carolina University. Got lucky with a 222.
Although I was actively against the war through graduation in 1972, my best friend and I joined on a mutual dare in February 1973. Ended up in the Army Security Agency with a year in Korea and about 16 months in Thailand up near border with Laos. As it turns out, it was a great experience that I greatly value. But then, I was lucky. Right place, right time. Could have turned out much differently as it did for a number of my friends..