How did they determine who got drafted?

The Draft Lottery: Determining the Order of Military Service

During times of conflict, governments often resort to conscription, commonly known as the draft, to supplement their military forces. The draft lottery is a system employed to determine the order in which eligible individuals are selected for military service.

The United States implemented a draft lottery during the Vietnam War to ensure fairness and impartiality in the selection process. This lottery prioritized men who were reaching specific ages, starting with those turning 20 that year. As the need for additional recruits grew, the lottery was expanded to include younger age groups, starting with 19-year-olds and then 18-year-olds.

The lottery process involved randomly drawing numbers assigned to potential draftees. The order of the numbers drawn corresponded to the order in which individuals would be called up for military service. This system aimed to distribute the burden of military service equally across eligible age groups and prevent individuals from evading their obligation to serve.

The draft lottery was a significant event in American history, sparking widespread debate and protests. It remains a controversial topic, with advocates arguing for its fairness and equity, while opponents criticize its potential for disrupting individuals’ lives and infringing on personal freedom.

Despite the controversy, the draft lottery has been used in various forms throughout the world to select individuals for military service. It is a method that attempts to strike a balance between the need for military manpower and the rights and freedoms of individual citizens.