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Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:24:15 PM

IrishMist

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I have a question for anyone who knows military history; specifically the dates that covered the Korean Conflict ( US involvement ), and the draft surrounding the Vietnam Conflict ( again, US involvement ).

My daughter and I were talking about the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict ( the discussion came up because of something that her Government teacher mentioned ). She asked me a question that, well, I simply can not find an answer for...and believe me, we looked.

During our discussion, the issue of my father came up, along with his military service. He was in the Marines during Korea.
She asked me how come he had not been sent to Vietnam; especially since he already had military/combat experience; and since the draft would have applied to him. ( He had a younger brother who was exempt, not because of him being younger, but because of certain health issues)

I am unsure of how long he was actually in the service. He joined after highschool, did his basic training and was immediately sent to Korea.

So, the question is: why, if he already had military experience, was healthy and whole, and was still young enough; was he not 'drafted' for Vietnam? I remember him saying once that the subject of re-enlistment never came up for him.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:49:06 PM

SoulPiercer

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The U.S. was out of Korea in 1953. U.S. escalated involvement in Vietnam in 1961-1963, even though we were there in the mid '50s, the draft went into affect in '61. So you have about a 8 to 10 year window between the two conflicts. Assuming your father left Korea in '53, his age may have been the reason the reason why he was not drafted. Marital status could have also been a factor.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:54:24 PM

flcouple2009

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He had already served.

He wouldn't have been drafted but recalled. I don't believe they were doing that for your every day ordinary soldier back then.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:55:02 PM

mnottertail

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The draft would probably not apply to him. Depending on when he did Korea, his gig might have expired, 3 on 3 off. total six year commitment, if drafted it was 2 on 4 off. But the draft is not a double dip he did it once and he is not dipped again if inactive, and we didnt need them, that could have happened in WW2. but not after.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:56:16 PM

DomKen

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quote:

ORIGINAL: IrishMist

I have a question for anyone who knows military history; specifically the dates that covered the Korean Conflict ( US involvement ), and the draft surrounding the Vietnam Conflict ( again, US involvement ).

My daughter and I were talking about the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict ( the discussion came up because of something that her Government teacher mentioned ). She asked me a question that, well, I simply can not find an answer for...and believe me, we looked.

During our discussion, the issue of my father came up, along with his military service. He was in the Marines during Korea.
She asked me how come he had not been sent to Vietnam; especially since he already had military/combat experience; and since the draft would have applied to him. ( He had a younger brother who was exempt, not because of him being younger, but because of certain health issues)

I am unsure of how long he was actually in the service. He joined after highschool, did his basic training and was immediately sent to Korea.

So, the question is: why, if he already had military experience, was healthy and whole, and was still young enough; was he not 'drafted' for Vietnam? I remember him saying once that the subject of re-enlistment never came up for him.

If you have completed a term of military service you are classified as 4A and are exempt from the draft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:56:38 PM

IrishMist

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I think I remember reading somewhere that the draft originally applied to those 21 to 45; and then during Vietnam, it was changed to 18. ( And please, correct me if I am wrong ). If this is correct though, then he would have been eligible for the draft, right?

As for marital status, he married my mother mid 60's, I think. My oldest sister was born in '65. However, I could have sworn that I saw somewhere that during the Vietnam Conflict, married men were not exempt.

I'll have to go back and check that though.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:57:46 PM

IrishMist

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quote:

ORIGINAL: flcouple2009

He had already served.

He wouldn't have been drafted but recalled. I don't believe they were doing that for your every day ordinary soldier back then.

I was wondering about that. If that might have been the reason. Thank you .

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 3:59:25 PM

IrishMist

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quote:

If you have completed a term of military service you are classified as 4A and are exempt from the draft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System

Grrr.. We spent most of last night, and much of this afternoon after school looking for something that would explain this lol. Dayum. We passed it right up.

I suck lol.

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RE: Question about the military/draft/etc - 9/12/2011 5:29:55 PM

slvemike4u

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In addition to everyone else's answers consider that President Johnson lacked the political will\ capital to take the steps necessary to call up the Reserves or to activate the National Guard...so if your father was a Reservist or in the Guard he would not have served in Nam.

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