Routes to Ineligibility for the Vietnam War Draft

The Vietnam War period saw a complex system of exemptions and alternative routes to avoid military service. This time was chronicled in scholarly literature such as Baskir and Strauss's Chance and Circumstance, which devoted considerable space to the varied means of avoiding the draft. This article explores some of the primary routes individuals used to be made ineligible for the draft during this period.

Physical Disqualification

Physical conditions presented one of the most common ways for individuals to avoid the draft. Conditions such as bone spurs, asthma, and heart defects, among others, would often result in exemptions. For example, a top NFL player had a heart condition that allowed him to continue playing professionally but disqualified him from service due to the inherent risks. These disqualifications often emerged from a doctor's letter but occasionally could arise during the physical examination, where previously undiagnosed conditions might be revealed.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality, as determined by the authorities, was another critical factor. Unlike today, during the Vietnam War, being "gay" could be grounds for exemption, although this determination involved extensive scrutiny. Authorities would assess your statements, corroborating evidence from neighbors, family, teachers, and even an interview with a military psychiatrist. If presumed gay, you were immediately disqualified from service.

Enlistment in Other Military Branches

Enlisting in other branches of the U.S. military, including the reserves, national guard, and Coast Guard, provided an alternative and non-combat route for service. Notable figures like George W. Bush and Dan Quayle used this avenue. Though eventually, this system could lead to being pulled into more active duty when reserve units were deployed to dangerous areas.

Educational Deferments

Educational deferments were a common but transient means of avoiding the draft. These deferments allowed men to continue their education until deferred status ended. However, this route carried risks as local draft boards could terminate deferments if they deemed it appropriate.

Marriage and Occupational Deferments

Marriage and certain occupations also offered temporary deferments. The idea was that for a time, being married or working in certain industries could serve as grounds for exemption. However, these deferments were not permanent and were subject to periodic reassessment.

Conscientious Objection

Another avenue involved conscientious objection. Individuals could attest to a draft board that their belief system precluded military service, and a board would determine whether to grant the exemption. This option was often subject to strict scrutiny and personal testimony.

Legal and Criminal Convictions

Those with certain legal or criminal convictions could also be made ineligible. After 1970, a high number in the draft lottery also disqualified individuals.

Resistance and Flight

Ultimately, some individuals opted for active resistance (which often led to imprisonment) or fleeing the country to avoid the draft. None of these methods technically eluded the draft, but they significantly delayed or prevented service.

The Inequality Gap

Baskir and Strauss's work revealed that wealthier and better-educated individuals had a better chance of benefiting from these exemptions compared to those who were poor and poorly educated. The most reliable way to avoid the draft was registering for it in the first place. However, a higher proportion of those who failed to register were from impoverished backgrounds.

In conclusion, the complex and varied pathways available during the Vietnam War draft period reflect the intricate social and economic dynamics of the era. Understanding these alternatives offers insight into both the political climate of the time and the personal decisions many Americans faced.