[stylin19a]

thanks...but that article was not entirely true. and we pretty much hacked it inside out on the swift boat message board.

Edwards #178 was high.
In the 1971 (for 1972 induction)lottery, the last call was #95.
For 1970 (for 1971 induction) the last call was #125

the 1972 lottery picks were for the 1973 draft call. no one (according to selective service) was was drafted in 1973.

RESULTS FROM LOTTERY FOR MEN FACING THE DRAFT IN 1973 The lottery drawing held February 2, 1972, determined the order in which men born in 1953 were called to report for induction into the military. How to read this chart: This chart shows all the birth dates in a given year and the lottery numbers assigned to those dates. Read this chart like a multiplication table. At the top of the chart are the months of the year. On the far left are the dates of the month. The numbers in the center represent lottery numbers. For example: To find the lottery number assigned to July 15, look down from "July" till it matches up with the number "15" on the left side of the table. The corresponding number in the middle is "359." This means that all men born on July 15, 1953, were assigned the lottery number 359. This lottery was conducted for men who would have been called in 1973; however, no new draft orders were issued after 1972.

http://www.sss.gov/lotter4.htm

I happened to agree with Rangel here. The anti-war protests of the late 60's mostly petered-out when the draft went to a lottery and they damned near disappeared by 1972.

In my opinion, the protests were as much, if not more, about the draft than the war...

[DakotaRed]

As is usual with bureaucrats, the same site gives differing info. Also from http://www.sss.gov/induct.htm

Inductions (by year) from World War I through the end of the draft (1973)

1972 - 49,514; 1973 - 646. “The last man inducted entered the Army on June 30, 1973.”

Your link says, “This lottery was conducted for men who would have been called in 1973; however, no new draft orders were issued after 1972.”

I take that as orders for the draft continued into June of 1973 from earlier and no new ones were issued.

I also recall when the draft ended we were gathered in formation and told that if we were drafted we had the choice of remaining in the Army or being released.

I will agree Edwards’s lottery number wasn't that low, but according to the chart at your link, it was about in the middle. Still, he claimed he came along too late to be drafted, which I see as not entirely accurate. The likelihood of his being drafted was lower than others, but he still could have enlisted, which was his choice not. Amazing that he recently said all Americans should be subjected to a “Mandatory National Service.”

I also will note that my inclusion of him in my initial comment was due to the comment of Rangel’s of, “All you had to do is what Cheney did, what Bush did. All you had to do was know a politician and get deferments.”

Democrat politicians also could have served back then and in one way or another, did not. It is selective to point out only Bush and Cheney, especially given that Bush did serve in the TANG as a pilot and volunteered for Viet Nam, but didn't have enough points earned and the war was drawing to a close by then.

As to the protesters, I've always felt the intent there was so they didn't have to serve. By the time of our exit from Viet Nam, protests were nonexistent that I recall, but I was in Germany by then.

Finally, not doubting the discussion on Swiftvets, but I don't readily recall that one. I'd like to look it over again, if you saved a link or recall the thread. If not, no big deal.