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This date in 1964

3

37chief

Well-known Member
Location
California
Is the date I left Dad's farm, and joined the Navy. I was a prime candidate for the draft. Mom told me I received my draft notice shortly after I went in. Kids are lucky today, and don't have to be worried drafted, This was always on my mind. I helped Dad farming some, but he was about to quit so there wasn't much to do. I had a job in a small factory, not going any were in life. I didn't like going in the service, but didn't have much of a choice. I couldn't see going to Canada to hide. The service opened up a whole new world for me. Don't know about some of you, but I would do it again. Stan
 
My dad came of draft age at the heat of WW2.

He knew he was prime pickings, so tried to join the Navy, reasoned he would be safer at sea than on the battle ground.

But they turned him down in the physical!

He then got a draft notice, they turned him down.

He always told me he didn't know why, but I never did buy that. Mom said he had a heart murmur, but he never had any heart problems.

Just one of those things I guess I'll never know...
 
My dad volunteered three times for WWII turned down twice for medical reasons. Third time he went out of state and lied about the scar on his abdomen, doc gave him a look and passed him.
 
I went in when there was no draft.
Would do it again.

But what good would a draft do today.
Approximately 71% of the 34 million 17-to-24-year-olds in the U.S. would not qualify for military service because of reasons related to health, physical appearance and educational background, according to the Pentagon.
 
In 1964 I went to Fort Knox for Basic and then to Fort Leonard Wood for AIT. I was a an Army reservist but 6 months of active duty training as a Combat Engineer was good for me. I got out in 1970.
 
I guess my father had a heart murmur, flat feet, maybe something else? He was the only(surviving) son, and the only son on a farm. I don't know if either one would keep him out of military service? Did my grandfather, who was connected, pull some strings? I'll never know.
 
The Draft was good to get the boys away from Mommy,,and send them back home Men,,,as I look around at a bunch of hopeless young men that have no discipline,no skills and are busy looking for a free lunch, it is very disheartening.. Sometimes as I am waiting on my wife to finish shopping at the big stores I set and look around,,thinking how long most of these Sissy's would last on a hay baling crew...
 
When I graduated high school in 1969 I was a prime target for the draft but I went to a trade school for 11 months so that stalled it off. While in trade school the draft lottery came to be and my birthday wasn't chosen so I got out of being drafted. I don't know if I would have passed the physical because of my back but nevertheless I never served.

My dad graduated from high school in 1942, prime time for WW2. He flunked the physical because he had a broken ankle that didn't knit right and he had acne pretty bad. In 1942 they must have thought acne was a contageous disease. He was called up again for Korea but again he flunked the physical so didn't serve then either.

My dad's dad was in the armed services during WW1 but it was some sort of a civilian type of duty. He was a dentist, maybe that's why. He was issued a 30-40 Krag that he had hanging up in a back room in his dental office, along with boxes of metal jacket shells in case he needed it. I shot that thing a few times but it was a heavy lunker that kicked like a mule.
 
I would do it again, but ONLY in the original time frame/format.

I wouldn't last 30 seconds in today's Politically Correct military.

I had that proven to me beyond a shadow of a doubt back in 2010 when I went to work as a civilian contractor working with Navy kids. Whole different world than when I was in.
 
I went into the navy on July 8th of 1974 got out on July 10th of 1980. My step son was in the Navy and he had planned o make it for at least 20 but President #44 kick a lot of our guys out. My Nephew left this area on Dec 18th of 17 and is now stations in Goose Creek SC. My older brother was also in the navy as was my uncle who flew off carriers in WW-2
 
at this time in 1964 i was finishing up my first year in college---working to my BS degree in Engineering
 
I had a good experience also. Hated the Army but, it opened some doors. I was up for draft in 1957, I was working as a lineman for a power co. I joined with the promise of a school. Went to school, 9 months of electronic school, was offered a job as instructor but chose to accept a choice of assingment location.
Bottom line, I retired as a 3rd level manager for Sprint, which I attribute primarly to my military experience. Of course everything requires effort.
 
I graduated from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood on Friday the 13th of March 1964. I was early enough to be stationed in Germany, in Hq&Co A 703d Maint Bn, before the build up in Viet Nam. I guess in Europe we fought the "Cold War"
 
My dad did basic at Ft. Lost in the woods as he calls it. He was drafted in late 64 and then was stationed in Germany.
 
John ...... I'm sure they must have specified what "physical appearance" would keep a kid out of service. Perhaps you can finish the story. Maybe the wrong color, too tall, too short, wrong haircut, pimples, beard too long?
 
Drafted Dec. 70, Basic Campbell, AIT Ft. Sill, NCO school Ft. Sill, Vietnam 71 - 72, Firebase Linda, 196th Infantry, Btry. B, 3/82 Artillery.
 
Overweight; obesity
Crime and drug abuse
Lack of at least a GED
Prescribed drugs for ADHD
Tattoos
Are all reasons.

The 71% is a estimate. Do not read it as they have a 71% rejection rate.
Some know they do not qualify so They do not try to join.

They estimate on 1% of kids want to join AND meet the qualifications.
 
(quoted from post at 14:58:44 03/17/18) I would do it again, but ONLY in the original time frame/format.

I wouldn't last 30 seconds in today's Politically Correct military.

I had that proven to me beyond a shadow of a doubt back in 2010 when I went to work as a civilian contractor working with Navy kids. Whole different world than when I was in.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you wouldn’t be the same person today. I don’t think people change that much, just the situation changes.
 
Same situation here. Was a student at Purdue when
I was in the first lottery. My number was 310. Let my
deferment run out. Never got drafted. Looking back
now I wish I went into the military.
 
To those of you who went to Vietnam, Thank you.....And welcome home, to me you are all hero's. For those who served after, Thank you for serving.
I signed up while in high school, left for boot camp after graduation. For me it was the best choice, maybe should've stayed in. BT/3 USN USS Coral Sea CV43
 
Me too, opening a completely new life and the key to my financial solvency. I registered on my 18th birthday and went across town and joined the USAF.
 
(quoted from post at 09:30:26 03/18/18) To those of you who went to Vietnam, Thank you.....And welcome home, to me you are all hero's.

No we were not, we were just doing our job. The real HEROES are the one who did not come back,

mvphoto13072.jpg
Click to expand...
 
To Mule boss,I meant no offense.I know alittle about those who didn't make it back, And with great respect and honor, I place the flags on the graves our Legion Post cares for, Yes they are heros in every sense of the title. Again no offense intended!
 
I graduated in 74 i remember those times and choices. My uncle's were all ww2 vets honor and keeping your words were everything fortunately for me the draft ended. Largest class graduated that year only one went in the military. Seen a lot off messed up kids coming out of the military still a lot of mixed feelings over that time. I still respect and honor the men that fought not only in that war but others. Several times a year i make the rounds and tend graves.
 
Thanks to all of you who served whether through volunteering or the draft. Your decision to stand in the gap for our nation made a difference, and we are still a free nation because of it.
Of five boys in my family, three volunteered and served, one was rejected for flat feet, and the last was turned down because of quotas. among my brothers in law, two were veterans.
Living close to Ft Riley, I meet and see a lot of our newest generation. America is still churning out good men and women. They are following in your footsteps.
 

Plowboy-No offence taken, Just wanted to voice my opinion.

Kansasredneck- I fully understand as I have 3 brothers and we all 4 served between 1966 and 1972, Two of us Vietnam Vets. Two Army, two Navy. At one time 3 of us were in at the same time.
Never released until later why my mom was a wreck for 6 years.
 
Same situation here. Was a student at Purdue when
I was in the first lottery. My number was 310. Let my
deferment run out. Never got drafted. Looking back
now I wish I went into the military.
 
I almost bet if you where to visit Fort Lost in the wood you would not believe what you would be looking at. The place has changes a whole lot and so have the 2 towns there
 
called for draft aug 1953 passed physical sent home called to service aug 1956 8 weeks basic fort dix given master mechanic mos sent to camp Roberts cal.worked on wheel and track vehicles. thank you who have served traper
 
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