Would I have been drafted in the Vietnam war?

Would I Have Been Drafted in the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War was a pivotal moment in American history, with the United States becoming increasingly involved in the conflict from 1955 to 1975. During this period, the US military conducted a draft, also known as the Selective Service System, to conscript young men into military service. In this article, we’ll explore the criteria used to determine who was eligible for the draft and whether you would have been drafted into the Vietnam War.

Who Was Eligible for the Draft?

The Selective Service Act of 1948 required all male US citizens and male aliens living in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26 to register for the draft. Men who were not eligible for the draft included:

• Aliens who were not residents of the United States
• Men who were not physically qualified for military service
• Men who were currently serving in the military or had served in the military within the past year
• Men who were already in the military reserve forces
• Men who had a physical or mental disability that made them unfit for military service

The Draft Lottery

In December 1969, the US government introduced the Draft Lottery to determine the order in which men would be called to serve in the military. The lottery used a random drawing of birthdays to determine the order in which men would be called. The lottery system worked as follows:

Men whose birthdate fell in the higher-numbered months were less likely to be called for service. For example:

• Men born in January (1) were most likely to be called for service
• Men born in December (12) were least likely to be called for service

Other Factors Affecting Draft Eligibility

In addition to the draft lottery, other factors affected a man’s eligibility for the draft. These included:

• College deferments: Men attending college or university were eligible for deferments, which allowed them to delay their military service until they graduated or turned 26
• Medical deferments: Men with medical conditions that made them unfit for military service were eligible for deferments
• 1-A-O status: Men who were classified as "available for service" (1-A) but were not currently needed by the military were eligible for deferments
• Conscientious objector status: Men who claimed conscientious objector status, based on religious or moral grounds, were eligible for alternative service

Would You Have Been Drafted in the Vietnam War?

To determine whether you would have been drafted in the Vietnam War, we need to consider your birthdate, age, and any deferments or exemptions you may have been eligible for.

Assuming You Were Born Between 1946 and 1950:

• If you were born in January, April, July, or October, you would have been most likely to be drafted
• If you were born in February, May, August, or November, you would have been less likely to be drafted
• If you were born in March, June, September, or December, you would have been least likely to be drafted

Assuming You Were Born Between 1951 and 1956:

• If you were born in January, April, July, or October, you would have been eligible for the draft lottery
• If you were born in February, May, August, or November, you would have been less likely to be drafted
• If you were born in March, June, September, or December, you would have been least likely to be drafted

Conclusion

The Vietnam War was a pivotal moment in American history, and the draft played a significant role in shaping the conflict. By understanding the criteria used to determine draft eligibility and the factors that affected a man’s likelihood of being drafted, we can gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of those who served during this period. If you’re curious about whether you would have been drafted in the Vietnam War, consider your birthdate, age, and any deferments or exemptions you may have been eligible for.