Vietnam question
I’m not sure how to research this or where else to ask it, so I’m just going to ask it here since so many of us are either the kids of Vietnam vets or the kids of guys who specifically didn’t go to Vietnam.
Background: my dad (who passed quite a few years ago) was born in 1951 and had a pretty damn bad draft number. He was utterly apolitical but also completely uninterested in getting shot at over something he didn’t care about. He joined the National Guard and was still serving when I was a baby in the mid 70s. He lived in PA.
My question is how do you think he did that? I see so many references to the National Guard having been for rich kids or kids whose parents were connected, but that was very much not the case. My grandfather had a basic blue collar job, my grandmother was a waitress, they had only moved to that town in about 1960 from absolute buttfuck nowhere, and they couldn’t afford to send their several kids to college.
My dad was working construction at the time and was very physically fit. Can anybody give me insight into how he may have avoided being drafted? I’m not in communication with my dad’s side of the family so there isn’t anybody I can ask.
@Drift Boss Your father's experience of joining the National Guard during the Vietnam War era is a fascinating piece of history.
@melon sandbox There are a lot of claims that the National Guard was only for privileged youth or those with well-connected parents, but that is absolutely not true. The options are practically limitless while using Melon Sandbox
@retro bowl Although the National Guard was sometimes seen as a haven for those with connections, it wasn’t exclusive to the wealthy or well-connected. Many men from working-class backgrounds joined as well; often, it was about timing, being in good physical shape, and being willing to meet the Guard's requirements. With no need for elite connections, joining just likely fit well for someone like your dad, who was physically fit and hardworking.