The Vietnam Playbook--Living in 1968, still.

National Review ^ | 7-23-03 | Jed Babbin

[stylin19a]

The last lottery that placed anyone in the draft was in August of 1971. 1971 Lottery Numbers through 95 classified 1A or 1AO, were taken for induction in 1972 and later. (Based on year of birth). That was it. Tho the 1972 lottery was held, no-one from that lottery was ever placed.

Here are the draft induction stats for the 70's:
1970 - 162,746
1971 - 194,092
1972 - 49,514
1973 - 646

as opposed to pre-lottery:

1965 - 230,991
1966 - 382,010
1967 - 228,263
1968 - 296,406
1969 - 283,586

Seems the 70's were little safer.
All in all, I would have rather had a shot at the lottery.I know I would have felt a little safer. I was drafted & inducted 6/69. The 1st lottery was 12/69. My number was 324.