In 1969 I was an undergraduate student at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. I had served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-1964. My classification was "non-obligated". In 1965 I joined the Air Force Reserve and served at Richards-Gebaurs AFB, MO. I was able to serve on my required weekend drill periods (UTA’s) but more importantly I was able to serve on active duty man days when I had a semester break or a three day weekend. In 1970 I entered graduate school at KU. I received veteran educational funds and since I was married with two children the amount was maximized. In addition to the Air Force Reserve I was employed by the Bureau of Child Research as a research assistant serving as a teaching-parent. Upon completing graduate school I took a position as a teaching-parent in a group home for delinquent children in Chestertown Maryland. Once in Maryland I transferred to the Air Force Reserve unit at Dover AFB, DE. I left Maryland after two years in the group home and returned to my home state of Indiana. I then attended flight engineer’s school in Oklahoma and Texas for eleven months. Once completed I served my Air Force duties at Dover with the 512th Airlift Wing until 1995 whereupon I retired.
While the Draft Lottery did not effect my career or life it did leave an impact upon my view of the draft system. Prior to the "All Volunteer Force" policy the military was full of individuals who did not want to be there. The Air Force had "draft dodgers" among their recruits. These were folks who did not want to be drafted to Viet Nam so they would enlist in an alternate service in order to have some control of their lives. Many times this type of recruit was a "problem child" uninterested in doing a job and determined to have a good time no matter what. Once the All Volunteer Force became the standard, the Air Force active duty and the Air Force Reserve recruited people who wanted to be there in order to serve their country’s national security concerns. The number of "problem children" diminished to near zero. Operational requirements were met on time and without hindrances. The US military became smaller, better equipped, more motivated and content with their career choice. The results could be seen in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. And the volunteer force still thrives today with highly motivated people serving their country in very troubled times. Bless them all.