Drafted or Enlisted?

[AFChap]

I was in 70 lottery and got a reasonably "safe" #. I was in college, and chose a method of draft-dodging not yet mentioned. I got a 4D deferment ...divinity school ...a year or two later. I had already talked to Navy recruiters on Campus about their chaplain programs but none ever knew anything. Went to seminary in Denver and found out AF chaplain candidate program was run at ARPC there, so went out and signed up. Did reserve duty 75-80 at Randolph, Dyess, and Peterson. Active in '80. Did tours at Griffis, Sondrestrom Greenland, Davis-Monthan, Andersen Guam, Maxwell, Pope, Wright-Pat, Andrews, and Langley. Did a lot of TDY locations, including Saudi Arabia ELF-One apex 10 yrs before Gulf War. Retired in 2005 w/31 1/2 yrs total credit. Had a great time with lots of great people, and definitely saw and experienced more than I would have had I not gone in. And the pension and military famcamps access is the icing on the cake!

I am currently active in SMART ...a military related rv group including active duty, retired, and Honarably Discharged both US and Canadian. If anyone would like more info, shoot me an IM ...glad to share our SMART Irving experiences!

[1fanman]

I enlisted in the Air Force in June 1960, retired in 1986, went to work Civil Service in March 1986 retired in Nov 2007. Great career and I was proud to serve.

[boji fan]

DRAFTED!!!!! Drew #141 in the Dec 69 lottery Served my country and I haven't filled out a W-2 form since 15Jun70. Not because I'm one But I think the draftees should get more recognition since they didn't volunteer or enlist. If the Govt would make tax exempt the first 100,000 of personal income. That would be a nice gesture of saying Thank You!

[beaverjocky]

Pending a draft notice and being newly married I decided to enlist. Unfortunately Air Force and Navy both had waiting lists. Put myself on the waiting list and took off on our honeymoon. Halfway through our trip I got notice that the Navy called me so I hurried back and joined. I received my draft notice about the first week of bootcamp.

I didn't realize it at the time but was assigned duty in the aviation branch and sent to Kingsville Naval Air Station where they assigned me to Orange Grove Air Base. For the first year and a half fueled F9 trainers for touch and go training. There were about 30 mates assigned to that base. What a gravy train that was.

Next duty I transfered to VA56 at Lemoore NAS and eventually became an ADJ4. Made a cruise on the Ranger, then the Midway. I really considered extending but with wife and daughter by then, and assignments were unknown decided to exit. I really enjoyed the experience.

I went on to a career as an auto technician and eventually Parts and Service Director. I retired this January, sold the house, bought a DP and will be seeing this great country.

[corjaguar]

There is so much to see in this great country......enjoy the ride