General Discussion

Last edited Mon Jul 9, 2012, 08:45 PM - Edit history (1)

There have been several posts with incorrect information in this thread, and they've led to some unnecessary arguments...of course, this is DU, so I don't know if we think any argument is unnecessary.

1. People could, and did, volunteer for the service during WWII. All women who served were volunteers, and there was a push for both men and women to enlist - just google enlistment posters for WWII. Edit to add link about my error: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002918330#post270

2. All major (and a few minor) wars the US has fought up to and including Vietnam have included the draft; here's an excellent link with more info: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/us-history/resource/5669.html

3. The draft was allowed to lapse after WWI, and was brought back by FDR - obviously concerned about the war in Europe, he instituted the first peacetime draft. It continued through Korea and Vietnam.

4. There was a change in the mechanics of the draft in 1969. Before this, local draft boards made decisions about who was and was not eligible for deferments. This led to many abuses of the system, as poor young men were less likely to have the connections that wealthier men used to persuade the boards.

In December of 1969 the first draft lottery for the Vietnam War was held (other wars had used lotteries), a system that matched birthdays with numbers that indicated in what order men would be drafted - here's a link with more detailed information: http://www.sss.gov/lotter1.htm

Because it was pretty evident to many potential draftees where they stood after the lotteries, those at the greatest risk to be drafted often volunteered to join the Navy or Air Force, where they had better odds of making it through the war. This is where one of the biggest lies about the war comes from, since people who support the war like to point out how many men volunteered for the military during Vietnam...well yeah, they volunteered one step ahead of the draft, not exactly showing overwhelming support for the war.

OK, end of history lesson.