Ronald, California, 1969. No. 321: Opportunities Unlimited

It was a grey day as the numbers began to be called out for the first ever lottery in modern times.  I was a senior in college preparing to graduate in 1970 and unsure as to my future.  Join the service, go to Canada or disappear. I had been 1-A...

Jerry, Ohio, 1970. No 1!: Four Years or Two?

 Well today is my birthday (July 9). About 38 years ago I hit the jackpot with No. 1 in the lottery. It forever shaped my future. You could not get a decent job because the first thing they would ask you was "What’s your number". Answer would be...

Dave, Virginia, 1969. No. 315: Numbered Faces

I was a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  1969 was the first year of the draft.  I sat in the packed Rathskellar (Student Union) the night of the first draft and watched as they pulled dates out of the lottery bin.  It was a tough,...

Arthur, Michigan, 1969. No. 198: By The Numbers

I was scheduled to graduate from the University of Wisconsin in June of 1969 but needed an extra semester to finish.  I was classifed 1-A beginning when my student deferment ended in June, and I received a middle level draft number. I started my career...

Gary, Wisconsin, 1969. No 364: 92 Days' Duty

I joined ROTC as an undergraduate when LBJ announced that there would be no further deferments for graduate students.  Planning law school, I took advantage of the law school deferment for Air Force officers.  By the time the lottery came along, I had...