Bobby, North Carolina, 1969: Pondering The Possibilities

The first lottery was held during my senior year in college.  My number was called in April, although I knew much earlier that it would be called before I graduated.  As with all seniors, I was in the process of interviewing for jobs.  The year before...

Glenn, California, 1969. No. 263: Pharmacy School

Basically, I was lucky not to be drafted during this time. If I had been born a day earlier (No. 184) or later (No. 71) I would have been drafted. Upon entering UCLA in 1967, I went to the Selective Service Board and received a student deferment. For the first two...

Stephen, California, 1969. No. 2: Headed For That War

At the time I was a student at Chico State University (in northern Calif). I guess I was fairly naive because I didn’t pay much attention to the war & wasn’t much concerned about the upcoming draft. Anyway, on the way to school the next day, I dropped...

Ike, Virginia, 1970. No. 207: Avoiding A Layoff

I was I-A in the draft.  I was born on Sept. 16th, so my number was 207.  In any case I reported to the draft board in Charlotte, went through the physical and passed with flying colors.  Because of my draft status, I could not get a job with a bank,...

Richard, Washington, DC, 1969. No. 300+: Mixed Emotions

I always had mixed emotions about the war. I had been in ROTC at NC State but was yelled at because I bounced when I marched. I was asked to take a semester off by State because of my grades and was working construction when I got my draft number which was well over...