I still have my draft card, but served during 1967-1971.
When was the lottery instituted?
1969 I think. I was already serving by that time.
On December 1, 1969, the first draft lottery since 1942 was held, at Selective Service National headquarters in Washington, D.C. The draft determined the “order of call” for 1970 for all men of draft age, which included all men born in the years 1944 through 1950. Approximately 850,000 men were affected by the 1969 draft lottery.
For the lottery, 366 blue plastic capsules, each containing one date of the calendar year, were dumped in a large glass container. The capsules were then drawn out and opened, one by one, and assigned sequentially rising numbers...The highest draft number called for induction from the 1969 lottery was 195.
The next lottery, held in 1970, applied only to men born in the year 1951; the lottery of 1971 covered men born in 1952; and the final lottery in 1972 applied to men born in 1953; however, men born in 1953 were not drafted due to abolition of the draft in 1973. - https://vietnamwardraftlottery.com/lottery-facts/
Vietnam War Draft Lottery
The table below the lottery numbers, by birth date, for the US Selective Service lotteries held from 1969 to 1972 (during the Vietnam war).
I was getting to ETS from the ARMY when the draft lottery was put in motion. First number called was my Birthday, September 14th so there was no way I would have not been called had I not enlisted in the late 60s. The Vietnam Era draft was not new, there was a draft in place during the 50s. Even Elvis Presley was drafted! One thing I do recall is that on my induction day, about a third of those processed were drafted into the Marines. I thought that was unusual.
1969
I quit worrying about all the numbers and different deferments back in those days and just volunteered. After 30 years active service I figured out I liked it.
I quit worrying about all the numbers and different deferments back in those days and just volunteered. After 30 years active service I figured out I liked it.