Lowell, California, 1969. No. 281: Over-Corrective Lenses

This is absolutely true. I graduated UCLA in June, 1969, and was about to start graduate school in September when I received my notice to appear for the pre-induction physical. I knew this was coming — since I had lost my student deferment — but...

Bill, Texas, 1969. No. 266: To Do It Over Again

It was the Spring of 1967 and I was concentrating on graduating from high school.  The war was probably the third or fourth thing on my mind.  First of all, I wanted some time to play and celebrate graduating before heading off to college for more play and...

David, California, 1969. No. 300+: The Law Of Our Fathers

I was part of the first every lottery, December 1, 1969, if I recall correctly. I was a freshman at UCLA, and had just rushed for Sigma Chi fraternity, Delta Eta chapter. On that night (I seem to recall a Sunday evening), all the brothers in the house gathered as we...

John, Idaho, 1969. No. 267: Beware The Agenda

I was I-A from having dropped out of college briefly before I transferred to UC Berkley (Bezerkly back then). On the day of the lottery,  5 or 6 friends gathered together to watch. It was like a sports contest with teams of 1. We alternately cheered winners...

Steven, California, 1970. No. 342: A Nervous Time

Before the lottery, I went through a nervous time when I failed a Spanish class at UCLA and, due to insufficent progress (i.e., I did not become a sophomore in the required time), lost my student deferment.  The draft office at UCLA said I could get my deferment...

Lloyd, North Carolina, 1969. No. 332: Access To Orthodontia

I was in my second year at UCLA, on a student deferment, of course, and I was a member of a fraternity.  We were all subject to the first lottery, and were all congregated around the radio as the numbers were being called.  A frat brother who was born...