Who was eligible for the Vietnam draft?

The Vietnam Draft Lottery: A Random Selection for Service

During the Vietnam War, the United States implemented a draft system to conscript young men into military service. This system relied on a lottery to determine the order in which individuals would be called up.

Eligibility Criteria:

The draft lottery applied to all male citizens and permanent residents of the United States who were between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six. However, certain exemptions and deferments were granted, including:

• Medical disqualifications: Those with physical or mental conditions that prevented them from serving.
• Educational deferments: Students enrolled full-time in college or graduate school.
• Occupational deferments: Those in essential occupations, such as farming or medicine.

Lottery System:

On December 1, 1969, a public lottery was held to determine the order of call-up. A total of 366 capsules, each containing a birthdate, were placed into a spinning cylinder. The capsules were drawn one by one, and the corresponding birthdates were used to establish the draft order.

Mobilization Process:

The random selection process governed the mobilization of young men throughout the conflict. Those with the earliest birthdates were called up first, while those with later birthdates were placed in a pool for potential future call-ups.

Impact of the Lottery:

The lottery system aimed to create a more equitable and unbiased draft process. It ensured that all eligible individuals had an equal chance of being selected, regardless of their social status, education, or family connections.

However, the lottery also sparked controversy and resentment among some segments of the population. Opponents argued that it created a false sense of equality, as those with financial resources or connections often found ways to avoid or defer service. Additionally, the lottery’s randomness could lead to individuals with critical skills or responsibilities being drafted ahead of those who were less essential.

Despite these criticisms, the Vietnam draft lottery remained the primary means of selecting young men for military service during the conflict. It served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by millions of Americans during a divisive and turbulent period in the nation’s history.