The Way Back Machine

[MossRoad]

Moss,
Aren't you the member with the crazy brother-in-law? Was that him?
Sorry if I'm thinking of someone else.

No. This was the one with the electrical engineering degree from Purdue and masters in electrical engineering from Notre Dame. He's 7 years older than me (they're divorced now).

The one your thinking of is my wife's younger brother. And he's not crazy, he's goofy, like my wife's younger sister. Totally socially unacceptable.

Although, I have to say, he's mellowing out. He occasionally helps his mom without being coerced now, and he's always been nice to our kids. He helps his mother in-law if needed now, too. So there's hope.

 

[bigtiller]

My number was 61. I flunked the pre-induction physical because of high blood pressure, possibly from worrying about the future for my new family and me. I had a very pregnant wife the day of the physical.

On edit.. bad memory

 

[Doofy]

My number was 68. I flunked the pre-induction physical because of high blood pressure, possibly from worrying about the future for my new family and me. I had a very pregnant wife the day of the physical.

That would certainly raise your blood pressure!

 

[bdhsfz6]

My number was 12. Seeing returning vets spit upon and harassed by protesters affected me more than the war itself.

 

[Oaktree]

My number was 68. I flunked the pre-induction physical because of high blood pressure, possibly from worrying about the future for my new family and me. I had a very pregnant wife the day of the physical.

Mine was in the low 100s, low enough to be guaranteed to be called. Like you, I flunked the physical though in my case it was eyesight (very near sighted, and what came as a surprise to me-colorblind). You know those old tests where you had to make out a number in a circle of dots? I was 1 for 50 on that test! Never knew it, it's not like I see the world in black & white. I have the more common red-green colorblindness, and do have trouble with some shades of both colors...they look more brown to me. (Obligatory tractor content, I can, however tell the difference between a JD and a MF. )

Apparently my eye doctor confirmed it...got my 1-Y classification (updated to 4F a year or so later) in the mail.

It was in the middle of the winter, early 1970 I had my physical. The building we had to report to was not well-heated, so there were 100 or so of us running around in our skivvies in a 50° building.

 

[JPRambo]

There are numerous stories about non-citizens with green cards being drafted.

My wife was a 'non citizen' when she enlisted in California. But it was the day before I enlisted in New York. April 21st, 1975. Of course the conflict was coming to an end. She received her citizenship while in the Army.

 

[Doughknob]

Go it! The engine probably went faster in a Mustang. My mother had one in a Galaxy.

In the early 80s I had a 64 1/2 Red Mustang 4 speed. I did like that car. It was not the fastest thing but was certainly fun. At around the same time I had a 68 Firebird 400. THAT thing was a BEAST! It was geared low; I could chirp the tires in 4th gear.

 

[Doughknob]

My number was 12. Seeing returning vets spit upon and harassed by protesters affected me more than the war itself.

I never got that - people blaming the soldiers. I have Always placed the blame squarely on political leaders!

 

[newbury]

My number was 120. I was in Burlington, Vt at UVM.
Got told to go report to the draft board for the bus ride to Albany. It was winter of '73, didn't want to go but it was my obligation.
Prepared for the trip with all night going away parties with friends. Had 2 close friends that had all ready made the round trip to 'Nam, coming back in coffins.
Woke up the day before the trip and the draft board called, Nixon stopped the draft. More parties.
Ended up enlisting anyways on MY terms and spent ~37 years at Ft. Belvoir in the Corps of Engineers, 3 years enlisted, the rest as a civilian scientist, except when deployed. When I deployed to Tuzla to support the Mine Action Center they put me in uniform and gave me the rank of Lt. Col.
What a strange world.

 

[bigtiller]

My number was 120. I was in Burlington, Vt at UVM.
Got told to go report to the draft board for the bus ride to Albany. It was winter of '73, didn't want to go but it was my obligation.
Prepared for the trip with all night going away parties with friends. Had 2 close friends that had all ready made the round trip to 'Nam, coming back in coffins.
Woke up the day before the trip and the draft board called, Nixon stopped the draft. More parties.
Ended up enlisting anyways on MY terms and spent ~37 years at Ft. Belvoir in the Corps of Engineers, 3 years enlisted, the rest as a civilian scientist, except when deployed. When I deployed to Tuzla to support the Mine Action Center they put me in uniform and gave me the rank of Lt. Col.
What a strange world.

Oh ya, January 27, 1973 ...I remember it well. We partied also.