I really didn't have a choice. Back in day , there was a lottery of sorts , the draft board . They take anybody 19 years of age , throw numbers in a tumbler , 1-365 and they would pull numbers. Each number
was relative to the day you were born. I was 11 so I actually won a lottery once. They don't give you a whole lot of career choice , they more or less put you and make you what they needed.

Really didn't want to go. Had a good job , custom Harley , my own little crib , oh well , life goes on.

21 years in the navy, retired in Nov of '94. My oldest son also retired from the navy last year.

12 years piloting the C-141 with the 15th MAS/63 MAW at Norton AFB. Would of stayed, but it was being phased out of service and the base was closing. I wasn't going uproot the family for the C-17(hard decision).

Army

Army. Medically retired in '68, after 'Nam.

20 yrs USAF Retired

army 68-70. back in those days the army was just about the only service branch that drafted.

I enlisted... in 1965 ... USMC

US Navy, nearly 4 years have gone by already, reenlist next month for another 4 years.

Usmc 66-72

Like dman said.......I also was of age when they had the draft lottery......I always had a high number......no offense to Nam vets, but I really didn't want to go anyway.........this is as good a time as any, with Memorial day coming up, to once again, thank all the people who served this country. They are the ones who allow us to live the quality of life that we all share.......

Originally Posted by berettabone

Like dman said.......I also was of age when they had the draft lottery......I always had a high number......no offense to Nam vets, but I really didn't want to go anyway.........this is as good a time as any, with Memorial day coming up, to once again, thank all the people who served this country. They are the ones who allow us to live the quality of life that we all share.......

As stated already , I didn't want to go either but with an 11 , in 3 months I was off to Fort Dix.I did get to play with some very cool toys and try to forget the ugly crap.
My hats off to all that have served , heros each and everyone of you thank you from the heart !

USMC HMH-361 ...
CH53 helicopter tech..
1977 to 1981.
ooh-rah ...

26 years in Army. Best years of my life in many ways. Would do it again in a heartbeat but it is a young persons profession so content now to just laugh with my retired Army friends and tell lies about all the things we did. The stories keep getting better as time goes on too!

1970 thru 1992, retired ARMY. Interesting times, some was good some wasn't.

U.S. Navy 73-76. The draft ended just before I was eligible, but I joined anyway. I was on a Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG), and we did some patrols off the coast of Viet Nam, but were never involved in any fighting. From 82-85, I worked for Military Sealift Command, Navy support ships manned by civilians. I was on an UNREP oiler in the Med, during the Beruit civil war. We met the Battleship New Jersey at Gilbraltar when they sent her over (f*****g cool to be on a 700 ft tanker and watch that awesome beast come up 100 ft away from us), and we were right off the coast when the motherf***ers blew up the USMC barracks in 83. It may not be technically military, but we were right in the middle of the battlegroup and all the stuff going on there.

Four years, Army. One at the 101st 3/327 inf. then the rest in Alaska,Ft. Wainwright.

Army - 1966-1970.

Army 1972-1978

Air force-security police-72-76.I saw duty in Nam but was sent on temporary duty to provide extra security during base closure.I missed the draft but joined as I was raised to believe it was my duty as my family has a strong miliatary history.I dont regret any of it but but disagree with the agenda of inept leadership in the govt.I truly enjoy my trips to the VA and talking to who I see as real world warriors.

US NAVY 1961-1965 USS TICONDEROGA CVA-14 Flight Deck Director 3 tours on Yankee Station

Navy 1970-1973. Never heard a hostile shot, went to law school on the GI Bill. But in more recent years I've had veterans of just about every stripe come through my office, including a small number of POWs. I appreciate the service of every honorable veteran, but I've got to say I'm a little bit in awe of the former POWs. Can't thank them enough.

Got drafted in 1963 got out of nam 1965
62nd combat Engr.

Usaf 83-87