I’m Jewish. Both of my grandfathers fought in World War I. My father was a Korean War veteran. His medals are on the wall of my office. The Vietnam draft ended two years before I was eligible and it was only due to my father’s intervention that I decided to go to college instead of going to West Point or the Air Force Academy, both of which had recruited me tirelessly. I imagine he’d seen enough death and horror for a hundred lifetimes and wanted something better for me. And although I’m an older guy now, I will still gladly fight for our Constitution should it come to that. And I can still hit a quarter at 100 yards with a .223 round (on a good day, anyway).
Good for you.
Was your father drafted? In Korea in December 1952 63% of the soldiers serving in Korea were draftees, in 1953 59% of all Army enlisted of the total global service were draftees, during January of 1952 alone, more than 12,000 Marines were drafted.
During WWI 72% of the Army was draftee.
Vietnam was a mostly volunteer military.