The draft for the Vietnam War was incredibly unfair to many young men from the United States, and these injustices still resonate today. The burdens of war were thrust upon low income youth who had virtually no chance of escaping the draft lottery and being forced to serve in a conflict that had little national support.
The Vietnam War draft meant conscripting young men into military service in a distant and foreign land. The risk of being killed or wounded weighed heavily on the minds of those tasked with fighting. Furthermore, those from low-income backgrounds faced an even greater burden due to their lack of resources and connections; they could not escape the draft or pursue other options such as joining the National Guard.
In addition to the economic inequalities, there was also a racial injustice at play in the Vietnam War draft. African Americans were disproportionately drafted to serve in Vietnam because they were concentrated in the lower income brackets. This blatant racism further alienated the African American population from the rest of the nation and served as a stark reminder of how the US government viewed them.
Draft evasion was possible if a person had the resources available, but this typically required recruiting a lawyer and having enough financial capital to pay for legal services as well as other preventive measures. As a result, countless youth from disadvantaged backgrounds went overseas to fight a war that had little to do with them.
The Vietnam War draft was a devastatingly unfair system that targeted the most vulnerable people in society. The arguments for and against the draft raged on for years, but ultimately the draft did little to provide justice. The memories of this injustice have left a lasting impression on many citizens throughout the country, and serve as a reminder of the need for just and equitable policies.
What happens if you refuse the Vietnam draft?
Refusing the Vietnam draft was a controversial decision during its time, as it was considered a form of resistance to an ideology or policy with which you disagreed. Today, refusing the Vietnam draft is still seen as an act of civil disobedience.
In the United States, refusing the draft was a federal crime and could result in severe penalties, including up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and loss of U.S. citizenship. In addition, some states could also impose additional penalties such as loss of voting rights or suspension of professional licenses.
While those who refused the draft are often viewed as brave for standing up for their beliefs, it’s important to remember that the consequences for failing to comply with a draft could be devastating. Despite these risks, there were thousands of people who risked imprisonment, financial ruin, and loss of citizenship in order to demonstrate their opposition to the Vietnam War.
Today, there is no mandatory military draft in the United States. However, refusing any future draft – should one be enacted – would be treated similarly to how officials reacted to those who resisted the Vietnam draft.
Was Vietnam War a mistake?
The Vietnam War was one of the most controversial conflicts in modern history. It lasted for over a decade and embroiled many countries in its wake, claiming the lives of an estimated 3 million people. Though the war was integral to the Cold War, it resulted in a massive loss of life and financial cost for all sides. It is this cost that leads many to ask ‘Was the Vietnam War a mistake?’.
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Some believe that the war was essential in preventing the spread of communism, while others believe that the war was a tragedy that could have been avoided. To better understand the implications of the war, let’s examine the context surrounding it.
The Vietnam War began as a result of the French colonization of Vietnam in the 19th century. The French were eventually driven out by communist forces led by Ho Chi Minh, who wanted to reunify Vietnam after the Second World War. This led to increased US involvement in the region, as they feared that communism would spread to other Southeast Asian countries. This marked the start of the Cold War, and the stage was set for the Vietnam War.
The war itself lasted from 1954 to 1975 and resulted in a communist victory. The US had deployed around 500,000 troops, that resulted in over 58,000 American casualties and $150 billion in economic losses. For the Vietnamese, the cost was even higher, with estimates of 3 million dead and millions more wounded.
Ultimately, whether or not the war was a mistake is a matter of perspective. For those who are anti-communist, the Vietnam War may have been seen as necessary for preventing the spread of communism. But for other people, the war was a tragic mistake that could have been avoided. As a result, the only thing that can be said for certain is that the war had devastating consequences for all sides.
How many Americans are still unaccounted for in Vietnam?
As of 2020, it is estimated that 1,600 American servicemen remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. This number includes 1,207 individuals whose fate is known but whose remains are yet to be recovered and identified.
The United States contributed over 3 million troops to the conflict, and 58,220 service members were killed in action or declared missing in action during the conflict. The war was the deadliest U.S. conflict since World War II, claiming the lives of over 2.6 million Vietnamese civilians and military personnel, according to some estimates.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s agency, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), is responsible for recovering and identifying the remains of missing service members from all conflicts throughout history. This agency works with a network of international partners, as well as several joint government and nongovernment organizations, to search for and repatriate POW/MIA personnel and their remains.
In addition to this work, there are many veterans’ organizations dedicated to helping the families of missing Vietnam War service members find their loved ones and ensure the safe return of their remains. These include the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the American Legion.
The Vietnam War has had far-reaching and long-lasting effects on American veterans and families who were affected by the conflict. It is hoped that, through the continued efforts of the DPAA, more of those still unaccounted for can be located and brought home.
Were college students exempt from the Vietnam draft?
The Vietnam War was a tumultuous period in America’s history and was fought between 1955 and 1975. During this time, young men were subject to the military draft and many were sent off to fight in the jungles of Southeast Asia. However, college students were given an exemption from the draft, allowing them to continue their studies and potentially avoid being sent to war.
For those in college, the draft exemption was seen as a way to protect the country’s future by encouraging more young people to pursue a college education. This was especially important during a time when American universities were educating more students than ever before and needed to be able to accommodate everyone. The Selective Service System recognized that sending students off to war would have a negative impact on the growth of America’s higher education system.
At the time of the Vietnam War, college students were exempt from the draft if they had proof of at least one full year of attendance or enrollment at a college or university. It also applied to those who had registered at an accredited institution of higher learning and were in the process of completing their first year of studies. As long as students kept their grades up and attended classes, they were allowed to remain in college and not be drafted into military service.
In addition to providing a much-needed respite to college students, the draft exemption helped to create the foundation for what would eventually become the GI Bill. This bill provided student veterans with financial assistance to cover tuition and other educational expenses.
The draft exemption for college students during the Vietnam War has had far reaching implications. Without it, many young Americans may never have pursued higher education and instead been forced to serve in a dangerous conflict abroad. Today, the exemption remains a reminder of how higher education can help protect citizens from having to fight in wars they would rather avoid.
Was the Vietnam War draft mandatory?
The Vietnam War draft was indeed mandatory for men aged 18-25 in the United States during the war. Understood as the Selective Service System, this system was created to meet the needs of the US Armed Forces through selective conscription.
In order to comply with the draft, men aged 18-26 had to register with their local Selective Service office. If a young man refused to register, he could face severe consequences, including a fine and up to five years in prison.
In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced “Project 100,000”, which lowered the standards for acceptance into the military for certain men unable to meet the physical, mental, and educational requirements of the time. This program allowed many men of lower socioeconomic backgrounds to be inducted into the Armed Forces. Other programs were also developed to provide exemptions from the draft, such as college deferments and student visas.
By 1969, the US became highly divided over the war, and growing numbers of men were refusing to comply with the draft. This eventually led to large-scale protests and civil disobedience against the draft which continued until the war ended in 1975. Nowadays, the military in the US is composed of volunteer soldiers, so the draft is no longer in place.
Did drafted Vietnam soldiers get paid?
Many people have wondered whether those who were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War were paid. The answer is yes. All those who were drafted into military service, regardless of the conflict, were paid according to the same regulations as enlisted personnel.
All enlisted members of the U.S. Army in the Vietnam era, including draftees, were paid according to a standard base pay scale. Rates of pay were determined by rank and length of service. All enlisted members also received additional allowances for housing, food, clothing and family, as well as any other entitlements they qualified for.
Draftees were typically given the rank of Private E-1 or Private E-2, depending on their service time. As of 1971, this base pay was between $102.68 and $143.58 per month. If a draftee qualified for multiple entitlements or was promoted, he may have received more per month.
In addition, draftees who served in Vietnam received special service pay. This rate was subject to change depending on the years and his or her rank. From 1965 to 1971, draftees who served in Vietnam received an extra $65 to $110 each month.
While it’s true that many draftees did not receive the same benefits as those who volunteered for service, they were still compensated financially for their efforts.
Can only sons be drafted?
The answer to the question is yes, only sons can be drafted. In the United States, the Selective Service System is the government agency responsible for managing the registration of all men between the ages of 18 and 25. The federal government requires that all males register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to register can result in serious penalties, including a fine, prison time, and a loss of eligibility for student loans, jobs, and other government benefits.
Notably, any man who is eligible to be drafted must register – there is no exemption for sons. In other words, all sons are required by law to register, regardless of age, marital status or parental status. This is also true for boys who are not yet 18-years-old at the time of registration.
In addition to being required to register, all men between the ages of 18 to 25 are subject to a potential draft should the need arise. If a man is found to be eligible, the military will classify him as either available or unavailable for induction. This greatly depends on their status, such as if they have a family and/or dependents, and details regarding their health.
Although it remains unlikely that the draft will ever return in the near future, it is important that all sons register in order to fully comply with the law.
