[Tamar1973]

All you had to do was enlist before being drafted. Anyone could do it. No political connections required.

That's what my dad, my FIL, and my two uncles did.

[mamelukesabre]

Same here. I have no relatives, that I know of, that actually put a boot in vietnam. They all served, but in some other way. Europe, Korea, Alaska, reserves, etc.