Steve, Virginia, 1969. No. 005: Winning The Pool

The draft stories rang a bell for me. As Pi Kap social chairman in December 1969, I had the bright idea for us to put up $10 apiece to watch the lottery in the tube room. Half the money bought a keg of beer and the other half was designated for the low number. Who...

Dave, California, 1969. No. 028: Halftime Show

I had a student deferment at Duke University when the first draft lottery took place.  It was held at 8 pm the night of a Duke home basketball game.  The administration moved up the start of the game such that the lottery occurred during the half-time,...

Steve, Maryland, 1970, No. 43: High Arches

Number 43!  THAT was terrible news.  And I was stunned.  What would I do?  At the time I was an anti-Vietnam War organizer, a protestor who had been jailed.  I had a strong commitment which since then, thankfully, has never wavered, even...

Berg, NC, 1969. No. 197: Minesweeping No, Teaching Yes.

I was sitting pretty in March 1969. Had a full scholarship offer to Oceanographic School at FSU after I finished at Duke. My planned marriage in June would give me a draft deferment. Then the bottom fell out: no more marriage deferments, or grad school either.My dad...

Parks, NC, 1969. No. 70: Three Year Sabbatical

In my senior year at Duke I drew No. 70. So I chose to join the NC National Guard (6 year enlistment).  I was told to be ready to go to basic training in January, 1970.  Duke would not refund tuition for this voluntary obligation that took me out of school,...

Steve, Colorado, 1969. No. 154: The Difference In Two Wars

I was born in 1948 and I recall being subject to the first draft lottery.  For me, however, it was not relevant.  I had previously received a IV-F classification (unfit for service) from the Omaha draft board based on a letter from my doctor.  I had and...