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Do you know your history about the military draft?

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by redbelt, Mar 1, 2007.

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  1. redbelt

    redbelt New Member

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    Without looking it up, are you willing to guess what the percentage of draftees there were in WWII and Vietnam? I will post the answer later.
     
    #1 redbelt, Mar 1, 2007
  2. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    I used to know the answer, but without looking it up, I can tell you that the percentage of draftees that served in WWII is far higher than the percentage that served in Vietnam.
     
    #2 carpro, Mar 1, 2007
  3. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    It seems that about 34% of those in Vietnam were drafted, and if memory is correct, I believe 67% or so were drafted in WW2. I am much more sure of the Vietnam figure.
     
    #3 saturneptune, Mar 1, 2007
  4. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    I would rather see my kids and grandkids in Canada than in the Military.
     
    #4 billwald, Mar 1, 2007
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I believe after 1971 there were zero draftees in Vietnam.
    The last draftees were discharged by Thanksgiving 1974

    Sgt Salty

    PS, I beat the draft - I enlisted:laugh:
     
    #5 Salty, Mar 1, 2007
  6. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    That was not the subject of the thread. Start a thread, "my kids and grandkids are deserters."
     
    #6 saturneptune, Mar 1, 2007
  7. North Carolina Tentmaker

    North Carolina Tentmaker New Member

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    I live in amazement of the WWII generation of Americans and all they accomplished. The number of drafted soldiers aside how about the sacrifices made by the civilian population. How would we react to day to rationing of gasoline or coffee?

    Bill, if I were still in the service I would probably rather see your kids in Canada than have to share a foxhole with them. If they share your attitude I would hate to have to put my life in their hands.
     
    #7 North Carolina Tentmaker, Mar 1, 2007
  8. Dragoon68

    Dragoon68 Active Member

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    If they ran there as draft dogers then, without a Jimmy Carter as President, that could land them in prison.
     
    #8 Dragoon68, Mar 1, 2007
  9. DeeJay

    DeeJay New Member

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    Although I understand not wanting to see your kids grandkids in danger. You must admit that the freedoms we enjoy were won by fighting men. Those men were all kids and grandkids. So you are saying that it is alright for others just not you and yours.
     
    #9 DeeJay, Mar 1, 2007
  10. Dragoon68

    Dragoon68 Active Member

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    Another myth of the Viet Nam war is that the military was mostly made up of draftees. There are a few good sources that reveal the true numbers but I'd have to look it up to get the right percentage.
     
    #10 Dragoon68, Mar 1, 2007
  11. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    The "18 year old" draftee dying for his country was one of the many Vietnam myths. I believe there were something like 9 eighteen year old draftees that actually died in the war.
     
    #11 carpro, Mar 1, 2007
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Check these websites:

    1. http://members.aol.com/warlibrary/vwc8.htm

    2. http://www.vetshome.com/vietnam.htm

    2,338. POWs: 766 (114 died in captivity).
    DRAFTEES VS. VOLUNTEERS:
    a.. 25% (648,500) of total forces in country were draftees.
    b.. (66% of US armed forces members were drafted during W.W.II).
    c.. Draftees accounted for 30.4% (17,725) of combat deaths in Vietnam.
    d.. Reservists killed: 5,977.
    e.. National Guard: 6,140 served, 101 died.
    f.. Total draftees (1965-73)1,728,344.
    g.. Actually served in Vietnam 38%.
    h.. Marine Corps draft: 42,633.
    i.. Last draftee: June 30, 1973

    3. http://www.historynet.com/wars_conflicts/vietnam_war/3033736.html?showAll=y&c=y

    4. http://www.baptistboard.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=968043


    Sgt Salty
     
    #12 Salty, Mar 1, 2007
  13. Terry_Herrington

    Terry_Herrington New Member

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    I would hate to have to serve under this Commander-in-Chief, but if we had a draft, and if I were young enough and was drafted, I would not desert. I would be upset and would complain loudly, but in the end, I would report for duty.
     
    #13 Terry_Herrington, Mar 1, 2007
  14. redbelt

    redbelt New Member

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    SALTCITYBAPTIST you stole my thunder!

    My sources had 66% during WWII and 25% during Vietnam.

    The comment about whether civilians today would be willing to ration as they did during WWII is an excellent thought. I'm afraid we have become a very selfish people and wouldn't be too interested in giving up anything.

    I have to admit I learned a SEVERAL things while researching this subject. See, even a military person can admit they don't know everything!

    HOOAH!
     
    #14 redbelt, Mar 1, 2007
  15. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Mr Hoorah,
    That is not correct. Vietnam troops were 34% draftees, not 25%. If you are going to ask the question, give the right answer.
     
    #15 saturneptune, Mar 1, 2007
  16. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Your complaining, my friend would make you an excelent soldier!:thumbs:

    Terry, have you ever thought about joining the Texas Guard http://www.txsg.state.tx.us/

    and for the rest of you, check to see if your state has a state guard: http://www.sgaus.org/States.htm

    NOTE; State Guards are the backup to the Army National Guard.
    (we only serve in state - we would not every be called outside our state, let alone be sent overseas.


    Sgt Salty
     
    #16 Salty, Mar 1, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 1, 2007
  17. Dragoon68

    Dragoon68 Active Member

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    Actually, SaturnNeptune, I don't believe Redbelt in incorrect at all! Both numbers have been reported by different sources. The difference, I believe, is on whether it's in reference to total service members during the Viet Nam war era, or to those serving in the Viet Nam war theater, or to those in serving on the ground in Viet Nam. I don't recall which is which at the moment but, regardless, the point is that draftees represented a much lower percentage than the general public might suspect in any category of those who served as well as among casualties.
     
    #17 Dragoon68, Mar 2, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 2, 2007
  18. StraightAndNarrow

    StraightAndNarrow Active Member

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    I think the draft law expired in June of 1972 and wasn't renewed. No, I am wrong about this.

    28 Sep 71 - The 2-year draft extension was signed into law after lapsing from 30 Jun until 28 Sep. Deferments were abolished for 1971 college freshmen, although upperclassmen retained draft deferments. Also in the bill was a non-binding provision putting Congress on record as backing an early end to the Vietnam War
     
    #18 StraightAndNarrow, Mar 3, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 3, 2007
  19. StraightAndNarrow

    StraightAndNarrow Active Member

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    Maybe not many 18 YO's but a lot under 20. I don't see much difference.

    11,465 KIAs were less than 20 years old. [CACF]

    Deaths Average Age
    Total 58,148 23.11 years
    Enlisted 50,274 22.37 years
    Officers 6,598 28.43 years
    Warrants 1,276 24.73 years
    E1 525 20.34 years
    11B MOS 18,465 22.55 years
    (Army Infantrymen)
     
    #19 StraightAndNarrow, Mar 3, 2007
  20. carpro

    carpro Well-Known Member
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    Simple really. One is myth but is music to the anti war activists ears. The other is fact but doesn't have enough zing to attract the desired attention.
     
    #20 carpro, Mar 3, 2007
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